
>^<yfu^^/ 



3E>^jL«,XOI±r 13 CJE^VTH. 



_^^ DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS, ei^ 

(NiaxnlDer 61.^ 



PLOT AND PASSION. 

A DRAMA, IN THREE ACTS. 
(Frora tho French.) 

BY TOM TAYLOR. 

Author of " Henry Dunbar," "Ticket of Leave Man," <£ ., <6c. 



AS FIRST PERFORMED AT THE OLYMPIC THEATRE, LONDON, 

UNDER THE3 MANAGEMENT OF MESSRS KOBSON AND 

EMERY, MONDAY, OOTOBKii, 17, 1853. 



TO WHICH ABB ADDBD 



A descriptiou of the Costume— Cast of the Characters — Entrances and Exits— 

Belativo Positions of tbo rcilonncrs on tLse SUige, and 

tbo whole of the Stage Biisiuoss. 




ROBERT M DE WITT, PUBLISHER, 

No, 3 3 Hose Utrvet, **VwN* 




f THE POST BOY. An Original Drama, in Two Acts. By H. T. Cra- 
JVOTT I veu. Price Fifteen Cents. 

nEADT. 1 THE HIDDEN HAND, a Drama, m Fonr Acts. By Tom Taylor. 

Price Fifteen Cents. 



iDE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS. 



1 



1^" Please notice that nea^^hj all the Comedies, Farces and Comediettas in the following 
hst tfD^ Witt's Acting Plays" ar^ very suitable for rejoresentation in small Amateur Tliea- 
treis and on Parlor Stages, as they need hut little extrinsic aid from comjjlicated scenery or 
expensive costumes. They have attained their deserved poimlnrity by their droll situations 
excellent plots, great humor and brilliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that they are tlie 
most perfect in every respect of any edition of plays ever published either in the United States 
or Europe, whether as regards purity of the text, accuracy and fulness of stage directions and 
scenery, or elegance of typography and cleurness of 2Jrinting. 

'*^.* In ordering please copy thejigures at the commencement of each piece, which indicate 
the number of the piece in "Db Witt's List of Acting Plavs." 

|]p^ Any of the following Plays sent, postage free on- receipt of price — 13 
cents each. 

Address, ROBERT M. DEWITT, 

JV^o. 33 Sose Street, JVew Tork 

%^ Tiie figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of 
Acts. The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters — M.male; 
F. female. ' 



I 



No. 

75. 
114. 
167. 

93. 

40. 

89. 
192. 

im. 

41. 
141. 

67. 

36. 
160. 

70. 
179. 

25. 

24. 
1. 

69. 
175. 

55. 



65. 

68. 

76. 
149. 
121. 
107. 
152. 

52. 
148. 

113. 
199. 

20. 
4. 

22. 

96. 

16. 

58. 
125. 

71. 
142. 



M. F. 

Adrienne, drama, 3 acts 7 3 

Anything for a Change, comedy, 13 3 

Apple Blossoms, comedy, 3 acts. ... 7 3 

Area Belle (The),- laice, 1 act 3 2 

Atchi, comedietta, 1 act 3 2 

Aunt Charlotte's Maid, farce. 1 act. . 3 3 

Game of Cards (A), c medietta, 13 1 

Bardell vs. Pickwick, sketch, 1 act. 6 2 

Beautiful Forever, farce, 1 act 2 3 

Bells (The), drama, 3 acts 9 3 

Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act. . 7 3 

Black Sheep, drama, 3 acts 7 5 

Blow for Blow, drama, 4 acts 11 6 

Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act 3 1 

Breach of Promise., drama, 2 acts. . 5 2 

Broken-Hearted Club, comedietta, 14 8 

Cabman, No. 93, farce, 1 act 2 2 

Caste, comedy, 3 acts 5 3 

Cau2;ht by the Cuff, farce, 1 act 4 1 

Casf upon the World, drama, 5acts.l0 5 
Catharine Howard, historical play, 

3acts 12 5 

Charming pair, farce, 1 act 4 3 

Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts 6 5 

Chevalier de St. George, drama, 3 9 3 

Chops of the Channel, farce, -1 act. 3 2 

Clouds, comedy, 4 acts 8 7 

Comical Countess, farce, 1 act 3 1 

Cupboard Love, farce, 1 act ". . . 2 1 

Cupid's Eye-Glass, co iiedy. 1 ant... 1 1 

Cup of Tea, comedietta, 1 act 3 1 

Cut off with a Shilling, comedietta, 

1 )ict 2 1 

Cyrill's Success, comedy, 5 acts — 10 4 
Captain of the Watch (The), come- 
dietta, 1 act 4 2 

Daddy Gray, drama, 3 acts 8 4 

Dandelion's Dodges, far e, 1 act 4 2 

David ' •arrick, comedy, 3 acts 8 3 

Dearest Mamma, comedietta, 1 act, 4 3 

Deaier than Life, drama, 3 acts 6 5 

Deborah (Leah) drama, 3 acts 7 6 

Deerfoot, farce. 1 act 5 1 

Doing for the Best, drama, 2 acts.. 5 3 

Dollars and Cents, comedy, 3 acts. . 9 4 



No. 

21. 
186. 

47. 

13 . 

200. 

103. 

9. 

128. 
101. 

m. 

14.5. 
102. 

88. 

74. 

53. 

73. 



131. 

28. 

151. 

8. 

180. 

19. 

60. 
137. 
174. 

64. 
190 
191. 
197. 

18. 

116. 

129. 
159. 
122. 
177. 
100. 
139. 

17. 

86. 

72. 



Dreams, drama, 5 acts 6 

Duchess de la Valliere, play, 5 acts. . 6 

Easy Shaving, farce, 1 act 5 

Everybody's Friend, comedy, 3 acts. 6 

Estranged, an operetta, 1 act 2 

Fans and Marguerite, drama, 3 acts, 9 
Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials, 

interlude, 1 act 4 

Female Detective, drama, 3 acts.. ..11 

Fernande, drama, 3 acts 11 

Fifth Wheel, comedy, 3 acts 10 

First Love, comedy, 1 act 4 

Foiled, drama. 4 acts 9 

Founded on Facts, farce, 1 act . . . . 4 

Garrick Fever, farce, 1 act 7 

Gertrude's Money Box, farce, 1 act. 4 
Golden Fetter (Fettered), drama, 3 11 
Goose with the Golden Eggs, farce, 

1 act 5 

Go to Putney, farce, 1 act 4 

Happy Pair, comedietta, 1 act 1 

Hard C ise (A), farce, 1 act 2 

Henry Dunbiir, dnima, 4 acts 10 

Henry the Fifth, historical play, 5 38 

He's a Lunatic, farce, 1 act 3 

Hidden Hand, drama, 4 acts 5 

His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act 4 

Home, comedy, 3 acts 4 

Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act 1 

Hunting the Slipper, farce, 1 act 4 

High C, comedietta, 1 act 4 

Hunchback (The), play, 5 acts 14 

If I Had a Thousand a Year, farce, 

1 act 4 

Pm Not Mesilf at All, original Irish 

>*tew, 1 act 3 

In for a Holiday, farce, 1 act 3 

In the Wrong House, farce, 1 act. . . 4 

Isabella Orsini, drama, 4 acts 11 

I Sha'l Invite the Major, comedy, 1 4 

Jack Long, drama, 2 acts 9 

Joy is Dangerous, comedy, 2 acts. . . 3 

Kind to a Fault, comedy, 2 acts 6 

Lady of Lyons, play, 5 acts. 12 

Lame Excuse, farce, 1 act 4 



i 



PLOT AND PASSION 



% §xmm, 



(pounded on the FRENCH.) 



IN THKEE ACTS 



By TOM TAYLOR, 

Atdhor of " Henry Dunbar,''^ " Ticlcel-of -Leave- Man" dc.y etc. 



AS FIRST PERFORMED AT THE OLYMPIC THEATRE, LONDON, UNDER 

THE MANAGEMENT OF MESSRS. ROBSON AND,EMERY, 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1853. 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES — CAST OP THE CHARACTERS — EN- 
TRANCES AND EXITS RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PER- 
FORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE 
OP THE STAGE BUSINESS. 



NEW YORK: 

ROBERT IW. DE WITT, PUBLISHER, 

NO. 38 ROSE STREET. 

\81-? 



2 PLOT AKD rASSIOjS". \\ I ^l /--? ^ 

CyiST OF CIIAEACTEES. 

Olympic Theatre, Laura KceneJs 2'Jieafre, 
London, Oct. 17, 1853. JVeiu York, June 17, 1857. 
Fouche (Duke of Otranto, Minister of 

Police— Character Comedy) Mr. Emehy. Mr. Buunett. 

M. Desmarets (Head of the Secret Depari,- 

ment of Police— 1st Low Comedy) Mr. Pgbson-. Mr. ^Yheati.eigh. 

The Marquis de Cevennes ( i Legitimist- 
Walking Gentleman) Mr. Leslie. Mr. J. A. Smith. 

Berthier (Prince of Neufchatel, Grand 

Chamberlain— Utility) Mr. White. 

De Neuville (Secretary to De Cevennes— 

Character Comedy) Mr. A. AVigan. Mr. Lingham. 

Jabot (House Stewart to Madame de Fon- 

tanges— Utility) Mr. Lindojt. Mr. McDoual. 

Grisboulle (a Subordinate of Desmarets — 

2d Low Comedy).... .Mr. n. Cooper. 

Madame de Fontanges (Comedy Lead). . .Mrs. Stieling. Miss Laura Keene. 

Cecile (her Maid — Chambermaid) Miss Turner. 

TIMU—The Eecjinnirig of 1810. 

SCENE — Acts 1. and III. in Faris. Act 11. near Frague. 

TIME OF PLAYING— ONE HOUR AND A HALF. 



SCENERY (Frencli and German). 
ACTS I. and III.— Interior in 4th grooves. 



Wall. 



f A ; •••.. I Door. 



Sofa. 



Sideboard, 



Q Card Tablfl. 
* 



Sideboard. 



Window. 



Fireplace. 
Chair. J 



Table. 



Window. 



Carpet doTrn ; pictures on flat ; A, a large picture which opens gd. hinges as a 
secret door ; curtains to windows •, looking-glass over mantel, l, ; the furniture and 
frames of pictures modernized, antique patterns. 



QiFT 

EST. OF J H. CORNING 
JUNE 2LQ. 1940 



TLOT AND PASSION. 

ACT II. -Interior of Villa and Garden in 4th grooves. 

'a*** -k yr i a. a * -^ -i^ *"'a' 



. ^ 



I Window. I 



I "Window. I 




Landscape on flat "^f iSiver Elbe and City of Prague in the distance ; balustrade in 
the front ; A, A, A, A, vases of flowers ; French windows ; B, an embroidery frame . 
pictures on wall, and carvings in pine wood. 



Si 



COSTUMES— Of the Emjure, 1810. 

Fovc-aF..~First Dress : The long black soutane of an Abbe, with black skull cap, 
covering the tonsure ; black bands, with narrow white edging and narrow black 
cloak at the back : silk stockings ; shoes and buckles ; white wig Second Dress : 
Blue velvet court cloak, embroidered with gold ; white satin waistcoat and 
breeches ; sword ; silk stockings and shoes ; iron-gray hair, cut straight on fore- 
head, long at sides and back. 

Desmarets. — Black suit, breeches, and buckles. Act II.: Long boots ; iron-gray 
hair, cut close in front, long behind. 

De Cevennes and De Nettville. — Maroon and chocolate coats, with high colhirs 
and long lappels, satin waistcoats, and breeches. Dk C, Act II.: Leather 
breeches and long top boots. De N., Act II.: Blue stockings, rich pants, and 
liigh boots. 

Berthier.— Crimson velvet court suit, white satin waistcoat, and breeches, and 
sword. 

Jabot. — Livery. Act III. : Dressing-gown. 

Grisboulle.— German peasant's dress. 

Madame de Fontanges.— Elegant evening dress. ActlL: 'Wliite circss, broad.^ 
leafed straw hat, blue sash cloak. Act III., as in Act II. 

Cecile.— Bandanna handkerchief on the head ; long hose mittens 



4 PLOT AND PASSIOX. 

SYJ^'OFSIS. 

FoucAe, Duke of Otranto, Minister of Polico under Napoleon I., taking' advan- 
tage of tlie passion of Madamk dk Fontakges for gaming', causes her to be tompfe.l 
by liis agents, and begg;ired through play, i.i order that he may avail himself of iier 
services as a police spy. Of noble liiicaye sind of higli repute, and imsuspected i;i 
society, this lady is visited by Fouchk, disguised as an abbe, under pretence of being 
her confessor, but, in reality, to clandestinely consult witli Cksmarkts, the head of 
the secret service. To enable him to do so, tlie minister had caused a concealed pass- 
age to be cut through the walls ot the adjoining house, owned l>y his head agent, 
under the assumed name of Lebon. In tliis passageway is a secret vauit, wherein 
are conserved state docunaents, which might either cempromiso tJic safety of Foucnii; 
or be used for his security. Visiting the apartmentsof madame beneatli his priestly 
garb, the minister converses, in her absence, over state affairs with Desmakets, his 
covert enemy, who informs him of the publication of a most bitter phamphlet, emanat- 
ing from" Timon," which lays bare the enoimities of Fouche's poliiical career, sup- 
ported by the reproduction of damning documents, copied from the secret arcliives 
of the state. Dksmarets inwardly exults over the vexation of liis wily employer, 
to whom, as evidence of his ingenuity and subserviency, he presents a page of the 
original manuscript, obtained from a spy in the printing office wherein the publica- 
tion was composed. Fouche vows vengeance upon the unknown author, should lie 
be discovered, when he is visited by the Marquis de Ckvennes, a noble charged 
with complotting for the restoration of Louis XVIII., and summoned into his pre- 
sence in the name of the police. Fodche reveals himself to the astonished noble- 
man, and alarms him in to accepting of a delicate mission to Prague through accurate- 
ly detailing incidents of his previous career in conspiracy. De Cevennes incautious- 
ly places in the minister's hands a memorial, the hand-writing of wliich corresponds 
with that of the offensive ijublicatiou. The marquis, on receiving his instructions, 
promises to produce the author, his secretary, prior to his departure, and goes in 
seal ch of him. Madame de Fontanges, in the absence of Iouchk and his new 
tool, returns to her house, where she finds Desmabets, who declares his lore for her 
upon her demanding thu loan of money to redeem her jewels, pledged for gaming 
losses. Although scouting the agent's propositiouof marriage, the lady, abashed at 
the degradation of her position, still overcome with her propensity for play, accepts 
the Thoney, tendered only to rivet more firmly her chains, and hastensto again tempt 
fortune at the gaming table. Fouche, having arr.mged that the carriage oa the 
left of the courtyard should proceed in desperate haste to Prague, while the one on 
the right, surrounded by soldiers, should convey the secretary, De Neuville, to the 
dungeonsofVincennes, returns to receive these gentlemen. Desmaeets, fearing that 
the arrest of Dr Neuvili.e would disclose the fact of his having betrayed his trust 
through supplying documents from the secret archives, places the secretary on his 
guard, who, thus warned, takes tlie carriage destined for Prague. The marquis en- 
deavors to depart on his mission immediately upon return of Madame de Fon- 
TANGEs, who is in high spirits at having broken the bank, but, taking the wrong 
carriage, leaps from it to avoid arrest, is tired upon, and returns to the house. Dis- 
comfit! ed at the escape of Ids calumniator, Fouche determines upon sending the 
beautiful De Fostanges to Prague, there to become acquainted with De Nedville, 
so as to fascinate and allure him back to Paris. !She refuses to accept the task, and 
pleads hard to avoid it, sliil the orders of the police minister are imperative. At 
Prague, although surrounded by spies, the female agent, becoming deeply enamored 
of the man she is designed to betray, who, without knowing her real occupation, re- 
ciprocates her passion, endeavors to shake ofl" the thraldom of Fouche and to apprise 
Db Neuville of his danger. At this moment Desmarets and De Cevennes ap- 
pear upon the scene, the one as an emissary of the police minislerj and the other as 
an unconscious beai-er of a correspondence antagonistic to Napoleon's matrimonial 
schemes. The marquis exhibits to the agent a cane lie is charged to carry from a 
lady to Fouche as a curious present. Desmarets purloins a dispatch concealed 
within it, and substitutes a copy, and then, to gain De Fontaxges' affection, en- 
trusts her with the secret of the hidden vault, containing evidences of Fouche's 
treachery. The lady, in the desperation of love, resolves upon the overthrow of the 
minister to secure the safety of her lover. She avails herself of De Cevennes' return 
to Paris, and furtively accompanies him on his journey, and, while he sleeps, takes 
possession of the dispatch entrusted to him. De Nkuvillk, mad with jealousy, 
and Desmakets, fearful of h^'s secret being betrayed, liurry after them. Fouche, 
apprised of his enemy's return, comes in person to cause his arrest, but Madame de 
Fontanges, having caused the treacherous dispatch to reach the emperor, the powei 
of the minister is broken, and he himself driven into exile. 



[For Properties and Slaffe Directions, seepage 39] 



PLOT AND PASSION. 



ACT I. 

SCENE. — Apartment in the house of Madame de Fontanges, in 4th 
grooves. Candles burning. 

Cecilb a^ the fire-place. Jabot arranging the inkstand and a breviarp on 

the table. 

Cecile. Seven o'clock, and Madame not returned ! astonishing ! 

Jabot. Cecile, liow often must I repeat to you that servants in a good 
famil)^ ought never to be astonished / Madame is youag, charming, a 
widow, and niny choose her own hours, 

Cec. For her visitors — yes; but you forget this is her night for re- 
ceiving lier Confessor ; siie never would dare to keep the Abbe Lenoir 
wailing. 

Jab. Pooh! slie must leave a few of her sins to stand over till next 
week —there's a running account between tliem. When tiie Abbe ar- 
rives show him in here, and take care he is not disturbed in his pious ex- 
ercises. 

Cec. Hark! there's a fiacre in the court, (she looks out) The Abbe I 
(^she arranges her cap and hair at the glass.) [Bell rings off\ L. 

Jab. What! even for an Abbe ! 

Cec. Wliy not 7 one must show some respect for the churcli, Monsieur 
Jabrit. \Exd Cecile, c. 

.1 >B. Oh, woman ! woman ! As if that walking monument of mortifi- 
cation had eyes for a waiting maid ! 

He-enter Cecile, showing in Fouche in the dress of an Abbe. Me walks 
with an air of pious abstraction ; his hands folded, and his eyes cast 
down. 

Jab. (r., wheeling an arm chair fortvard). Madnme, unfortunately, has 
not yet returned — but she expected your Reverence's visit. 

Cec. (l.). And directed that we should show every attention to your 
Reverence's wishes. 

Fouche. Thank you. my children — I wish to be alone — see that no 
one enters this room, except your mistress, or my other penitent, M. de 
Ceveiiues. should he arrive. 

•JABOT bows, Cecile curtsies, and exeunt, l. Fouche, rising, takes a rapid 
surveg of the room, then closes the window curtains, places the lights on 
the mantelpiece, and belts the door by xchich they have gone, and also the 
folding -doors. 

Fou. Never trust an order while there's a bolt. Now for my ferret : 



O PLOT AND PASSION". 

— to all but me, M. Lebon, the respectable ])ropiietor of Uie liouse next 
door — to me, Maximilian Desmarets, the most unmitigated rascal and 
most invaluable head of a secret department in Europe. It was a good 
idea of mine to establish him next door to Madame de Fontanges. We 
meet here unobserved, {he touches a spring in the frame of the picture, k. 
It discovers secret doorway.) Hist! Desmarets ! 

Enter from the secret door Desmarets, with dispatch-box and papers. He 
takes a chair at the table, opens las box, imjolds his papers, u , and sits 
looking at Fouche. 

Fou. At least, I am sure to find you at your post ! (Desmarets 
chuckles and rubs his hands) These women think only of pleasure. 

Desmerests. So do I — my pleasure's here ! (pointing to papers.) 

Fou. I pay Madame de Fontanges enough to ensure diligence, too. 

Des. Madame receives exactly double what I do. Suppose you re- 
versed the proportions 1 

Fou. You would serve me no better, and she would not serve me at 
all ; besides, she has the enormous recommendation of an unblemished 
cliaracter ! 

Des. She ! — so much for the world's judgment of a confirmed gam- 
bler ! 

Fou. That is her only vice— a secret confined to us and her mask ! 
It was a good tliought to allow of masks at the public tables. 

Des. Do they hide many blushes? 

Fou. They save many reputations. No, my excellent Desmerets, I 
have not spent twenty yrars in guaging the price of consciences without 
arriving at a tolei-ably l;iir estimate of the money value of my species, 
i^.-ora Kings downwards. 

Des And you think my fidelity is worth just four thousand francs a 
month ? 

Fou. With your character I think no one woirld pay half as much fot 
your treachery. 

Des. You think so ? 

Fou. If anybody should make the offer let me know, and we can enter 
into a fresh arrangement ! 

Des. All ! you know my heart is devoted to you ! 

Fou. I know your head is, and, as fimrs go. that is |eihai)s a better 
security. But to work ; — first, your dispatches from England ! 

Des. Two — (takes papers) One from Mons. Ouvrard. announcing that 
he has opened a negotiation for peace in i/our name, with the Foreign 
Secretary, but that he fears your other agent, Mons. Fagan, is not to be 
trusted. 

Fou. Ordered — that M. Ouvrard keep a strict watch over M. Fagan. 
(Desmarest makes a note on the dispatcJi) And tlie other ] 

Des. From M. Fagan, stating tnat your oveitnres for pence have been 
most favorably received by the English Prime Minister, but that Le has 
reason to believe M. Ouvrard is in the pny of tie Emperor. 

Fou. Ordered — that jM. Fagan establish a close e.-pionage on M. Ouv- 
rard. (Drsmerest makes a note on dispatch as htfore) 1 have long found 
the advantage of running my agents in couples. Two rogues so em- 
ploved are as good as one honest man ! 

Des. And so much easier found. 

Fou. The envoy of the Eemperor has not yet arrived in London 7 

Des. (referring to another paper). ]^o\ he reached Amsterdam on the 
3rd, but he will not sail for three weeks. I have made the necessary 
arrangements; 



ACT I. i 

Fou. Good ; by that time I shall have concluded my negotiations, and 
tlie Emperor will have found himself once more anticipated by his 
Minister of Police. We must teach these people that they cannot do 
without us. 

Des. It is a danerous lesson sometimes with such pupils as the Em- 
peror. 

Fou. Hem ! he has trusted me too far, Desmarets. Those letters, 
from his own hand, extending over the last ten years, are my security. 
Wliile I have tliose, I stake his credit against my portfolio. 

Des, And those letters, thanks to my skill in iron work, are safe in 
their secret deposit yonder, (pointing to r. d. in f.) How lucky the Rev- 
olution made a locksmith of me when it made a Member of the National 
Convention of you ' 

Fou. Yes, we have both been able to serve the state and ourselves. 
Go on. 

Des. (takes a pamphlet up). From our London correspondent for printed 
papers— another of those pamphlets signed " Timon," which have been 
already found so disagreeable in high quarters. 

Fou. Another '? Is the Emperor never to be released from these 
attacks 1 Has this one reached France 1 

Des. Thirty thousand copies have been distributed, but I am sorry to 
say 1 have not yet discovered by what channel, which is the more annoy- 
ing as this one is not directed against the Emperor* 

Fou. Indeed I against whom, then ? 

Des. Against yourself ! 

Fou. Ah ! (starts tcp.) 

Des. It gives a very minute and apparently accurate account Oi your 
career. 

Fou. No matter, (uneasily.) 

Des. From the date of your Professoship at Nantes all is recorded — 
your strong measures in the Convention — your speeches in the Jacobin 
Club 

Fou. Enough, enough ! 

Des. What he calls your peculations in the Nievre^-your vote for the 
death of the King — your establishment of the Goddess of Reason in the 
Nivernais 

Fou. Phhavv! A truce to those youthful indiscretions. 

Des. Your massacre at Lyons — your — — 

Fou. Desmarets, the mind of France must no-t be poisoned in this way ! 
(strikes table with his Jist. ) 

Des. Unfortunately the facts are supported by regular official docu- • 
ments. 

Fou. They are forgeries — I destroyed all those papers when 1 become 
Minister. 

Des. They may have been preserved, or copierl. 

Fou. Impossible! you alone had acce.ss to them besides myself! — 
Desmarets, how comes it this man is not discovered before this? 

Des. Ha ! ha ! ha ! What do you say to this, {rises and shoiOs a writ- 
ten pap:r much frayed and dirtied) If we have not the man we have his 
handwriting. 

Fou. Give it me. How did you get this 1 

Des. Through one of my agentsr^a compositor of the London printer, 
wlio i)uts into type these detestable calumnies. 

Fou. Your register )f handwritings — quick! ('DES'iiAB.ETS yivfs a small 
book from the box) Peltier, Fontaine, De Coigny, Talon. None of the 
known hands— yet it is clearly not a feigned character. It is flowing, 
bold, natural ! 



8 PLOT AND PASSION. 

Des. Like that of a man who believes what he writes, and glories in 
"writing it — the wretch ! {rubs his hands.) 

Fou. I must have this scribbler, Desmarets, {stopping) do you hear % 
I must have him ; the author of these miserable calumnies must be 
found — must disappear— a cell in Vincennes first, and then a file of 
Grenadiers. Find him for me, and I will not say what I will do for you, 
Desmarets. {he walks up and down, rapidly turning over the pamphlet.) 

Des. {aside). Ha, ha, ha! — I think I know— ha !— it stings, it stings ! 
{he chuckles, and rubs //.is hands.) 

Fou. Abominable ! 

Des. {aside). Excellent ! {aloud) Oh ! atrocious ! 

Fou. Infamous ! 

Des. {aside}. Beautiful ! {aloud^ Horrible ! 

j^'ou. {stopping short, andfiinging down the pamphlet). Mons. Desmarets, 
I can dispense with a chorus. You have ordered De Cevennes to attend 
me here ? 

Des. Yes— at half-past seven. 'Tis close on the time. 

Fou. And have you prepared his false dispatches 1 

Des. They are here, expressing your great anxiety to conclude the 
Emperor's marriage with the Arch-Duchess Marie Louise ! 

Fou. And the real ones, communicating my negotiations in favor of 
the match with Russia ? 

Des. Here, as you directed, in the inside of the bonbons in this box. 
{shows box — noise of carriage) Hark I- — a carriage ! (goes cautiously to win- 
dow, and looks out) It is De Cevennes ! 

Fou. Good ! —another lesson for you, Desmarets. Fools make the 
best agents, provided they are skillfully hood-winked ! 

Des. {aside). I'll make a Dote of that for future use. Shall I retire? 

Fou. Yes. 

FouCHE goes up and unfastens c. d. Desmarets retires by r. d. in p., 
with box and papers. Fouche opens c- d. 

Enter the Marquis De Cevennks, ushered in by Jabot. 

Jab. Monsieur le Marquis De Cevennes. (Fouche, t^-Ao hastakenup his 
breviary, and appears absorbed in it, lifts his head, rises ajid bows.) 

Fou. Leave us, my sou. {exit Jabot, r. Fouche tvatches him out and 
locks the door) You wpre summoned here in the name of the Police. 
You did not expect to be received by one in this costume. You know 
the cowl does not always make the nif)iik ! I am Fouche. 

Cev. {stammering). 1 am charmed to have the honor of making such 
an acquaintance. 

Fou. Monsieur De Cevennes, you are a man of the world. (Dr 
Cevennes boivs) So am T. Y''on wish to know why you are summoned 
here ! i will tell you. Your intrigues with the exiled family are dis- 
covered. 

Cev. {confused). Sir ! 

Fou. Do not interrupt me. A word from me would consign you to 
Vincennps for life. 

Cev. Sir, j)ardon me and I will confess all ! 

Fou. Let me see first what there is to confess, {he reads from a paper 
very rapidly) On the 6th you obtained a pissport for Ostend on pieieiice 
of sea bathing— you travelled by post in a green oaleche withon aims 
— dined at Amiens, and complained of the amount of your bit. .»oi; 
then j)urchased a woodcock pie — for refreshment in the carriage i pic- 
sume — slept at Montreuil, and swore at the damp sheets— arrived at 



Ostend on the 9th — had an interview with Mons. Delbecq, agent for 
facilitating the passage of the Boiiibonists lo England — were larded by 
him on the beach near Dover at 8 p.m., after suffering much from sea 
sickness — proceeded next morning to Hartwell —i)ad an interview with 
the exiled Louis XVllI. at which you i)P.(sented a statement of services, 
professed devotion, and asked for a Dukedom. 

Cev. Good gracious ! All known ! But 1 was alone with the King. 

Fou. Mens, de Blacas was in the roon). When two persons are to- 
gether I generally know what passes, when three invariably. 

Cev. Is it possible ? 

Fou. You subsequently assured Mons. de Blacas that Napoleon Bona- 
parte was the man most detested by all classes in France 

Cev. Oh, no ! your grace 

Fou. Except the wretch Fouche ! Thank you, Mons. De Cevennes. 

Cev, But I assure you 

Fou. One moment — where was I? "Except the wretch Fouche !" 
Shall I go on, or can your confession add anything to this tolerable com- 
plete detail 1 

Cev. 01), sir ! as you are omniscient, be merciful. If the dovotion 
of a life 

Fou. That is a kind of devotion I have not, hitherto, found very avail- 
able. 

Cev. If my gratitude 

Fou. In my experience, fear is a more efficacious stimulus. Listen ; 
I haveneed-at the Austrian Court of a trusty envoy — (De Cevenxes 
botes) a man of high rank — (De Cevennes botes again) and of polished 
manners. (De Cevennes bows stilllower) I offer you the mission. 

Cev. I fly 

Fou. You had better receive your instructions first. Yon are among 
Madame de Fontanges' guests to-night. (De Cevennes botes) in an 
hour a carriage will be wailing in the courtyard, furnished with money, 
I>assports, and all that is necessary for a rapid and uninterrupted journey 
to Prague. You will stop at the Kaiser.Karl HoteL and ask for Madame 
Schoenbrunn. You will be shown to a lady masked. You will deliver 
to her these dispatches, {giving than) and return at once, without push- 
ing curiosity or gallantry further. 

Cev. 1 will be as mute as a fish and as cold blooded. 

Fou. And — yes, I think I may trust you so far — you will also present 
to that lady a bonhoumSre from Mons. Lenoir. Remember the name. 

Cev. Mons Lenoir. It is engiaved, Monsieur, here, {(cudung his 
forehead) as you clemency and confidence are here {Jouchwg his heart.) 

Fou. And this is the sus}jicious and double-dealing Fouch6 ! Confess, 
your friends of the Faubourg St. Germain do us injustice, marquis. 

Cev. I will undeceive them. Oh! your grace, 1 have been so ill re- 
quited for my services to the Royal Family. Here is my statement of 
them. I presented it six times without any effect to the King, I mean the 
exile. If you think it would serve me with the Emperor — {shoxcs a 
paper^ FouCHE catches sight of it.) 

Fou. Let me see your memorial, 

Cev. {gives it). Modestly but firmly expressed — is it not ? 

Fou. {aside). The same hand, {to htm) Perfect alike in style and 
calligraphy Your own composition ? 

Cev. {simpering). Yes. 

Fou. And your own hand-writing ? 

Cev. No — copied by my Secretary, a young man, a native of Guada- 
loupe, where his fatlier Aas Governor, under Louis XV. 

FoD, What is his name ?n 



10 



PLOT AND I'ASSTON. 



Cev. (aside). He charged me to keep his name and airival a secret. 
(aloud) His name 1 

Fou. Yes, I wish to make a note of it, for employment in my bureau. 
Such a writer ought to be at qnce laid hold of. 

Cev. (aside). What a chance for him! (aloud) His name is Henry de 
Neuville. 

Fotj. So I — de Neuville ! — Guadaloupe I — (he rcjlccts a moment) Like 
yourself, an adliereiit of the Bourbons. I presume % 

Cev. a rash young man ; but one, I have no doubt, whose eyes may 
be soon opened to the error of liis ways. 

Focr. As yours have been. I should like to see him. Bring him 
with you to-night ; but remember that, in tiiis house, 1 am not Fouche, 
the DaUe of OLranto, but tlie Abbe Lenoir. 

Cev. I pledge you the honor of a De Cevennes : and when did a De 
Cevenn3s succumb to either fear or temptation'? 

Foil, (who has tmlocked the door, goes vp stage). Enough, enough — I 
know precisely what one De Cevennes is worth, and by him 1 estimate 
the value of the family ! (boios.) 

Cev. I will be punctual to a minute, (aside) Decidedly, one of the 
most agreeable persons 1 have ever met. [Exit Cevenxes, g. 

FotJ. (eagerly compnring the paper given him by De Cevennes ivith the 
paper given Ian by Desmaretsj. Line for line and letter for letter, 
the same ! 

Desmarets enters noiselssly by r. d. in f., and watches, r. 

Fou. I have this bravo of the pen — this stabber of i-eputations. To- 
night he shall sleep in Vincennes! (turns and ac^'s Desjiarets) 1 did 
not call. 

Des. (u. c). But I heaid the door close, and I knew I was wanted ! 
I have not yet got through my dispatches. 

Foil. They will keep, Desmarets — they will keep ! (cxultinghj) You 
look astonished ! 

Des. 1 am not accustomed to see you indulge in the vulgar emotion?) 
of joy or sorrow. 

Fou. You are right. A Mitiister of Police, under the Emperor, can- 
not affoi-d the luxury. Look here, my old friend — here' (holds up th3 
two ivritings) There, besmarets, what say you to that 1 

Des. Eh ! — I do not perceive — (ivith some confusion.) 

Fuu. Where are your eyes 1 The characters are identical to the turn 
of a hair stroke — and more, I know the writer, — and more tiian that, he 
will be iiere in half-an-hour. 

Des. (agitated). Indeed ! 

FoLT. You do not seem to relish this discovei-y. (suspiciouslg) Ah ! I 
see — you can't bear that I should have made it, instead of yourself; but 
enough, I feel I hold him fast. Order a coach here at nine — a gendarme 
in disguise on the box. Plant a double file of mounted gendarmes in 
the stable, who will lake their posts on eithei- side when the prisoner is in 
the carnage ; and resist to the death any altempL to escape between this 
and Vincennes. Let that coach take its place to the right of the conn- 
yard ; the carriage to convey De Cevennes lo Praaue, to the left. I will 
write a letter to the governor of the fortress, from your cabinet. You 
will wait here to receive Madama de Fontanges — why, Desmarets, you 
lo )k confounded! 

Des. Your excitement stupifies me 

Fou. It is unworthy of me, I admit it ; but the Minister is but a man ; 
he must be allowed his moments of weakness. [Exit Foucue^ r. n. in f. 



ACT I. 11 

Des. De Neuville discovered — arrested ! will he have mettle to resist 
cind keep the secret ? Should he turn coward and purchase pardon by 
discovering that it is from oneof Fouches contidential agents lie le- 
ceived the information contained in the pamphlet — should he have pre- 
served the letter which, sent it— should Fouche discover that letter came 
from me ! He must not be arrested, or my hfe is not worth an old per 
stump. But how to baffle Fouche ? Let me see— let me see — I am as 
much excited as he was — I cant think coolly! {sits down and pours out 
glass after glass of water, which he drinks r apidly, then presses his head with 
his hand) Eh ! yes ; I have it ! ( flings himself back in his chair and gives a 
long low chuckle) Ha, ha, ha ! betray his secrets-— rifle his papers— release 
his prisoner 1 Ho, ho, ho ! he can dispose of my place, but I can dis- 
pose of his head ! Ha, ha, ha ! the great Fouche at two millions a year, 
and the Httle Desmarets at four thousand francs a month ! Ho, ho, hoi 
there is some compensation in the world, after all ! {a hurried knocking at 
the door, l.) Come in ! {opens door, l.) 

Enter Madame de Fontanges {taking off a mask as she enters ; agitated 
and parched, L. 

Madame de Fontanges. The Duke ? 

Des. He is busy in my cabinet; can I not supply his place 

Mad. de Fon. What money have you about you 1 

Des. Money'? 

Mad. de Fon. Yes, you ought to understand the word, money ! 

Des. My last month's salary was paid to-day ; it is here — four thou- 
sand francs, {shows pocket-book.) 

Mad. de Fon. Give it to me— quick ! 

Des. Eh ! give it you 1 

Mad. de Fon. Your master -our master, Fonclie, Will repay on ray 
order, (writes hurreidly) Here 1 now the four thousand francs ! 

Des. Madam, I have an infinite respect for you, and the most implicit 
confidence in your note of hand, but you will forgive my hesitation, at 
least, till I know ■ 

Mad de Fon. Till you know what I want this money for so urgently ? 
'Tis the old story, then, if j^ou will have it ; I have played again to- 
night; I have lost all, down to my bracelets — s^e ! {holds out her arms) 
I want my revenge! {hoarsely) I shall win all back — I feel I shall! 
Quick, the money ! 

Des. Madame — Madame de Fontanges, T would give you anything 
— everything I possess in the world — but this money I will not give 
yon ! 

Mad. de Fcn. Insolent! you dare to you refuse me? 

Des. I will not supply you with the means of ruining your beauty 
— your health — your happiness — your peace of mind~at the gaming- 
table. 

Mad. de Fon. Youth — beauty — peace of mind ! Ha ! ha ! ha I {bit- 
terly) You forget to whom you are speakintj, 

•i)ES. To Marie de Fontanges — the daughter of a noble father, the 
widow of a brave gentleman, the ornament of the Faubourg St. Ger- 
main 1 

Mad. de Fon. No, no ! — that is the world's Madame de de Fontanges. 
You speak to Marie de Fontanges, the Gambler, the spy, the creature of 
Joseph Fouche, an.d, lower still — if Iheie be a lower — of Maximiiian 
Desmerets ! No more words ; but the money, man, the nioiie\- : 

Des. You use a strange way to charm it out of my pocket. 



1*2 PLOT AND PASSION. 

Mad. de Fon. Pshaw ! Do you want me to cringe for it — to wheedle 
and cnjole 1 I am low enough even for that, but do not force me. 

Des. Why will you repay with .scorn my respeciful imprest 1 

Mad. de Fon. Interest !— you forget to wlif)m you are speaking. 

Des. You have reminded me — to the gambler, ihe spy, the creature 
of Joseph Fonche. 

Ma-d. de Fon. True, true— why will you awaken in me a pride I 
ought to foiget 1 

1)es. Because T love yo 

Mad, de Fon. You ! 

Des. Why not 1 By your own showing, we are equal. But it is not 
that I would level you with me ; I wish you to be a thing that I may 
look up to— that may teach me to be better myself, and to think better 
of others. 

Made, de Fon. No more of this, Desmerets. Despeiate necessities, 
and an absorbing passioH, may have driven me to F< uclie's service ; the 
chances of the table, and some love of secret power, n)ay keep me iliere. 
I seldom look into my myself-, but you almost awaken me lo reason, 
when you show me bow near I am fallen to the level of a creature like 
you. 

Des. I am low — I know it ; but love works such wonders ! It will 
save me. It is the one spark of good left liere — {touching his heart) do 
not trample it out — do not ! {he kneels.) 

Mad. de Fon. Miscreant ! dog ! slave of a slave ! — stand up, or I iita\ 
tread you under my feet ! 

Des. Take care — I might hurt your heel. Marie, listen lo me ! 

Mad.de Fon. Silence! Oh, 1 hear foul words enough about the 
green table, and try to shut my ears to them ; but I would like to re- 
member them all, that I might pour them on your soidid head. Ser- 
pent ! let go. my band ! {she tears her hond away from his.) 

Des. {rising; maliciously). B.-a., la, ha! — my hand pollutes you, but 
you will touch my money. Here it is — bought with lies, and treachery, 
and blood — buy with it misery, and madness, aud de.-^pair. Here, here, 
here ! ( forcing it on her.) 

Mad, de Fon. How dare you 1 Keep your money— T ^\ill not take 
it. (to R.) Yet, no— give it me, quick — black came up eight time.s run- 
ring— the color must chanoe — I will try a maitingale onred— double o'- 
quits every throw — the luck must turn — it nust— or there is laudanimi 
at the worst. [Exit, Jitriously, l. 

Des. So, Marie de Fontanges ! " Serpent," she said ; well, serpents 
are grovelling things, no doubt, and proud folks tread on them, but they 
sting, and so does Maximilian Desmarets. 

Enter Fouche, r. d. in f. 

Fou. Has Mademoiselle de Fontanges not yet returned ? 

Des, Yes ; from the gaming table— plucked to the last feather as 
usual. 

Fou. Why don't she cheat ? 

Des. She has still some scruples left ; another twelvemonth under 
your tuition may remove them. Not finding you, she has gone back for 
{mother cast of the dice. 

Fou. Her passion fur play will be that woman's ruin. 

JEnter Jabot, c. 
Jab. M. De Cevennes^— M. De Neuville. 



ACT I. 13 

Bnter Be Cevennes and Dk Neuville, c. 

Cev. Abbe, let me present to j^ou ray secretary, M. De Neuville ; M, 
De Neuville, the Abbe 'Lenoir, (ihei/ bow.) 

Fou, The unworthy confessor of Madame De Fontnnges. 

Nepv. Pardi, Abbe ! your task should be a liglit one, for Madame De 
Fontanges, the Marquis assures me, is perfect. 

Fou Perfection is not given to erring humanity but Madame is 
unusually ne.ir it — a model for her sex and a goddess for ours, {sighs 
and folds his hands ) 

Neuv. She seems to want one virtue, however — punctuality — for here 
we are in the temple, but where is the divinity * 

FofT. Your language is profane. 

Ne'jv. I beg your pardon. {De.'&mkb.et'A goes to window.) 

Fou. Nay, I know the warmth of a tropical temperament, and can 
excuse it. 

Neuv. I will try not to sin again; but our Creole tongues, Abbe, have 
a terrible trick of running away with their masters. 

Nou. You will find the need of a curb in Paris, my young friend. 

Neuv. I will put the uurul}'- member under your training. Luckily, 
here, in the Faubourg St. Germain, we are safe. 

Fou Alas ! how liilla you know Paris ! You uiay, even now, be sur- 
rounded by spies. May he not, M. De Cevennes 1 

Cev. Ell! so they say; but I don't believe it! — {aside) incredible 
self-command ! 

Neuv. Well. I will promise to be rash only in the Marquis's hearing, 
and in yours, Abbe, and then, at least, I shall be secure ! 

Fou Let u]) ho{)e so ; but Madame de Fontanges does not appear ! [ 
suppose I must give up ray game at picquet. 

Neuv. If you will allow the Marquis or myself to replace the lady for 
once, and then you can lecture m^ wiiile we play, {he approaches atable ; 
Jabot places card-table) You will (ind me the most patient of penitents. 

Fou. With all my heart, my son. But you will find me a bad school- 
master; I have too much sympathy with the openness and ardor of 
youth. 

Des. {ret'irm from window, aside to Fouche). De Cevennes' carriage 
for Prague has arrived, and tlie coach for Vincennes. {aside.) 

Fou. Good ! now for our game. 

Des. If you'll allow me, 1 will look on. 

Neuv. {aside to Fouche). You can rely on himl 

Fou. As on a secon 1 self: he is one of us; come! (Fouche and De 
Neuville sit at the table ; Desm.\rets and De Cevexnes look on.) 

Fou. I conclude from your high spirits, my sou, that youjiave not 
been long in Paris 1 

Neuv. Only a fortnight ! and, to tell you the truth, I am dis'^nchanted 
already ; I had imagined it the home of pleasure, gayety, and wit; the 
theatre of noble arts, arena of great deeds. 

Fou. And you have found it ■ 

Neuv. The haunt of intrigue, servility, and tre?ichery ; a great prison, 
wher.' every one is the jailer of his own thoughts ; a huge masquerade, 
but without the mirth, the music, and the cham{)agne. I sigh for my 
native Guadaloupe ! Oh, Abbe"! if you but knew our island — its blue, 
unclouded skies, its palms and summer sea^^, where, though salvery sur- 
rounds us, we whites at least are free to move, and speak, and think 
like men. 

Des. You are primitive in your tastes, sir I 

Neuv. Very] I hate laughter without joyousness ; love-making with- 



14 PLOT AND PASSION. 

out passion ; society without confidence, and sanctimoniousness without 
piety. I fear I am very old-fashioned. 
Cev. Oh, savage ! perfectly savage ! 

" Tytire tapatidcB rccubans sub tegmine fogi !'''' 

Fou. Yes, Paris is sadly changed ; bub we must pay the price of im- 
perial glory ! {shrugging his shoulders.^ 

Neuv. The glory of one man bought by the misery of millions ! 
There is no true glory so purchased, Abbe. Frenchman as 1 am, I feel 
dishonored in this mans greatness. Blood tatnishes the gold of his 
crown^, blood stains the purple of his Imperial robe ! His acquisitions 
are a robber's booty ; his triumphs, the brutal mastery of wrong. 

Cev. Hush, De Neuville ! {behind table l. c.) 

Fou. Let him talk — he refreshes me ! 

D,"s. It is most refreshing ! — your card, M. de Neuville. 

Neuv. And is it to this, Abbe, that the horrors of the revolution are 
to conduct us ] Must the drunken dream of the mob end in the heavy 
waking of the pi-ison-h.ouse, or the bloody delirium of the battle-field 1 
No, Uiis cannot be the end. This is a purgatory we are passing though 
— the glory is beyond. 

Fou. {nsidr). The veiy style ! {alnid) Ah ! could we but find pens to 
wrile these tiulhs! 

Neuv. Why not, if tliere are swords to maintain theml but the swords 
will come, for wh. n were such thoughts spoken but they found echoes 
in a thou.'^and breast., ? 

Fou. Yes, thank the spirit of old French chivalry, we have stiil some 
who dare uiter all we feel. The auihor of tliose recent })an>])h!ets. for 
example, signed Timon, those mastei'-piec-^s (>f indignant eioquence 

Neuv. What — you have read them ? 

Fou. I know them by heart. 

Neuv. {grasping his hand). If you Iciew ilie good tliese words do 
me 

Des. I have read them too — that last, for example, against the mon- 
ster Fouche. 

Fou. Ah ! how the wretch must have writhed ! 

Neuv. I thought he was invulnerable to shame, as lie is inaccessible 
to pity. Depend upon it, Fouche is one of th.at lowest stamp of rog,ie'K, 
who imagines shamelessness, heroism, and consistent ra.scaliiy, sLates- 
manship. Oh, I know him well. Abbe. 

Fou. I have heard him called inscrutable. 

Neuv. Only because few are base enough even to conceive the ai'ts 
which he practises habitually. No, that pamf)h!et traces his career, 
step by step, through eveiy doubling, from disguise to disguise, f,-om 
treachery to treachery, and only leaves hinT, at his ])resent post, on the 
right of the Imperial throne, the tricky head to guide the desperato 
hand. Does that pamphlet contain one word beyond the truth I 

Des. Not one. 

Neuv. Every document eked was authentic, for 1 had informa- 
tion 

Des. {breaking hastily). Monsieur, you've lost a fish — two fish — four; 
you'll be ruined if you don't attend to your cards. 

Neuv. Thank you for the wai'ning. but the subject of these pamphlets 
has a peculiar interest for me. 

Fou. A nearer one, young man, then it would be safe to avow here. 
Nay, do not start — our friend de Cevermes has hinted. 

Cev. {deprecatinglg). O'.i, sir,' 



ACT I. IJ 

Nedv. What, De Cevcnnes, you cannot have been so imprudent ? 

Fou. Oh ! lie knew Ijis man. Dc i.ot blush. Great writer, scourge of 
Ij-rannv. bearer oT the face of fraud, let me embrace you. {emhyaces him, 
then speaks -iside over Dr Ne'Jville's shoulder to Desmruets) Now ! 

Des. M. De Ceveiines, have you brought wiih you the iist of your 
services which you j)rouiisetl us ? 

Cev. No, 1 — I lefi it at home, I liiinlj, ou my bureau. 

Des. Careless man that you are ! It is uio&t unforiUiiate, as the Abbe 
wanted to forward it. 

Neuv. I will go for it with pleasure. I linow tlie paper — 1 copied it 
only yesterday ! -j-ises. Desmerets tvriies on a card iinsee7i.) 

Fou. Nay, I cannot allow you to talie this trouble. 

Neuv. Yes, yes ! If only to hide my confusion at your praises. 

Fou. Slop, my coach is below; suppose you take it— the night is 
damp ! 

Neuv. A thousand thanks ! 

Des. I will show it you from the window if the fog will permit, {takes 
Jiim to windoiv) There, the fiacre on right of the en' ranee, {quick, and 
aside) Take llie carriage on ihe left — not a word ! Read {giving card) 
before you get in — it's life or death ! 
[ExitY)^ Neuville, c. Desmarets rdnrns to Fouche and De Ceve>'nes. 

Des. {ande to Fouche). 1l"s done I 

Fou. (rtsu/e ilo Dee-marets). E.xcellently managed! 

Enter Madame de Fontanges, l.— her manner is entirely changed— ahe is 
radiant ivith Joyous excitement, 

Fou. At last, daugliter ! 

jNIad. de Fon. A thousand pardons, Abbe ! Marquis, wliat penance 
should he impose 1 {aside) M. Besmarels, your money, doubled ! {he 
takes tt, and goes up l. h.) 

Cev. {crosses l. to Madame). AIi, idadame ! always charmin'T— . 
always radiant ! How love.y you are lo-uigliL ! 

Mad. de Fon. Hush, hush, or the Abbe will scold you ! I have to 
confess to him, and } our delicate compliments will oblige me to add 
anuiher to my list of sins. Iiem — to one indulgence in feminine vanity. 
No, not a word will I hear ! {cross to r. h. to Fouche) 

Cev. Ah ! cruel ! {goes up l. h. to Desmarets ) 

Fou. {talking to i\lAD. de Fontanges, fonvard). What is the mean- 
ing of this? Desmarets tells me you have been | laying a^ain. 

Mad. de Fon. Yes, increasing your revetnie, M. Fouche. Nay, don't 
frown at me, what would become of your secret service money, without 
the contributions of the ci^"iing houses ? And what would become of 
their contribuLions without me, r.nd those like me 1 You see I am logi- 
cal for a woman. 

Fou. Woman never yet wanted logic to guide her lo ruin. 

Mad. de Fon. Ruin! Ha, ha, ha! Who first lured me to the table? 

Fou. My agents, but that was to drive you into my nets — now you 
aic there, I wish you to avoid those places. 

Mad. de Fon. And our compact— do 1 not keep it ? Do I not p'ay 
your spy at those places. 

*F(nj. No, you get so excited by your calls that you lo.^e your facili- 
ties of observation. Once for all, you must and shall give up play. Do 
you hear me ? 

Mad. de Fon. And you tell me ih\s— yen, and to-night when i liavo 
broken the bonk at Peliot's — see — {thrusts her hand mio her bosom end 



16 PLOT AND PASSION, 

brings it out filled with bank notes) why, man, I am independent of you 
for a week, {she goes up h. c.') 

Fou. {aside). It is hopeless to speals to her now. I must get her away 
from Paris. 

Cev. (l. c looking at clock). It is nine o'clock, the hour fixed for my 
departare {to Fouche) M, le Due, my time is come. 

Fou. You are punctual ; a good sign ; your dispatches are in the car- 
riage. 

Cev, And the honbonniere ? 

Fou, All [ had forgoUen that, in weightier matters, {takes it frcm Ms 
pocket) There. 

Des. {Ukmj him to the window). The carriage on the right of the 
entrance. 

Cev. Thank j^ou. I am infinitely obliged. 

Des. 01) ! do^iot mention it. [Exit de Cevennes. 

Mad de Fon. {throws herself into a chair, l- h.). Thank Heaven that 
coxcomb is gone at last ; I could not have borne his chatter a minute 
lon;?er. 1 feel faint — some of that water, Duke? 

Fou. {giving it to her). Fool ! you see what this excitement leads to. 

Mad, de Fon. Do not scold me now. I cannot bear it; leave ujq to 
myself a little. 1 have a calculation to make, {she takes a pack of cards 
to table an I begins to combine them — marking their color with a pin on a curd 
as they turn up.) 

Fou. I will stay, and stay you, Desmarets ! {a noise heard without) 
What is that ?" {two shots fired) The prisoner ! 

Des. He leaps from the carriacro. He runs this way. 

Mad. de Fon. I thought my house safe —at least from this. (De 
Cevexnes rushes in, followed by an Officer aud Two Gendarmes, c.) 

Fou. De Cevennes ! 

Cev. Save me — ^M. le Dae —Abbe — I mean — say it is a mistake — say 
I'm not the man. {down r. Desmerets speaks aside to the Officer loho 
orders the Gendarmes. They fall back respectfully, Desmerets goes after 
then, c.) 

Cev. There — I said I was not the man ! Bul ihey would fire, though, 
thanks to the fog, they mis.sed me. 

Fou. (r. c). Now, sir, what is the meaning of thi^ ? 

Cev. (^i.). That is what I was about most respectfully to ask you. 

S,e-enter Desmerets. He and Fouchr come forward. De Cevennes talJcs 
to Madame de F. 

Des. (r.). A mistake of the carriages, owing, no doubt, to the fog. 
De Feuville is, by this time, beyo id the barrier, on his way to Prague, 
in the carriage intended for M. de Ceveimes ! 

Fou. Quick, the telegraph ! 

Des. I thought of that, but unfortunately the fog is too thick for the 
telegiaph to work. 

Fou. Biiffied I Confusion! — Desmerets, this is your bungling. 

Des. {shrugging his shoulders). I really cannot undertake to control 
the fog. 

Fou. By to-morrow morning pursuit will be in vain — nothing can 
stop him ! 

Des. What a pity it is I had made such perfect arrangements that the 
Marquis's journey should be uninterrupted ! 

Fou. Marquis De Cevennes, this will cause a day's delay in our plan ; 
but, be ready to start to-morrow, {he refiects.) 

Cev. Certainly, M. le Duo 3 but I do hope you will give the gendarmes 



ACT I. 17 

orders to be a little more particular about firing. Madame, I liaye the 
honor. [Exit De Cevenxes, c. 

Madame de Fontanges has returned to her occupation with the cards. 

Fou. Your plan, Desmerets ! 

Pes. Pie will be on friendly territory at Prague— it won't do to carry 
him off by force. 

Fou. I know an infinity of schemes that won't do— tell me one that 
will. 

Des. Suppose you sent her {pointing to Mad. de Fox.) to draw him 
back to Paris- she is a stranger to him and she has atiractions, till you 
know her. {aside) Ho, ho, ho ! my proud lady wunt like that task, I 
think. 

Fou. A good thought ! {he touches her on the shoidder) Madame, 3-our 
health is evidently impaired by the excitement of Paris — you require 
change of air ! A young gentleman has just succeeded in escaping from 
Paris, whom it is essential 1 should have brought back again. 

Mad. de Fon. Well, sir, what is that to me 1 

Fou. You must follow him to Prague, where he has taken refuge ; and 
employ those charms which are so irresistible when you like to exert 
them, to attract him again to Paris. 

Mad. de Fon. No ! I have been your spy, but I will not be your de- 
coy, {rises and crosses R.) 

Fou. As a request is insufficient, T regret to change it into an order. 

Mad. de Fon. And I must meet that order by a refusal. 01 1, I know 
you can imprison me— torture me — murder me, perhaps — I shall not be 
the first. I have not forgotten Pichegru and Cadoudal ! 

Fou. They were state criminals ; but, my dear Madanio, when did yon 
ever know me rude to a lady ? No, you are free to refuse — do so, and, 
to-morrow I have you proclaimed in every drawing-room of Paris as 
the paid asent of the police — the salaried spy of Fouclie. 

AJad. de Fon. You will not. You cannot have the heart to put this 
choice upon me. You know me for what I am, but still I have a high 
])lace and fair fame in ihe world. I will be your slave — your unques- 
tioning tool in all besides this — but do not set me between such business 
and such dishonor. 

Fou. Choose ! 

Mad. de Fon. I know you cannot feel respect for me, but there may 
be.some woman in the world you reverence or love — a mother, a sister, 
or a wife. If there be think of her, and spare nie. Do — do — oniy in 
this— only in this! 

Fon. Choose ! 

Mad. de Fon. He is pitiless ! 

Fou. I give you five minutes, (takes out watch — a pause.) 

Mad. de Fon. Better face my own conscience than the world, i will 
go. {she faints.) 

FoD. I thought she would ! 

Des. {aside). I hoped she would not. {))2oi'(s foivards ihc hell.) 

Fou. Do not alarm the servants — a glass of water ! (Desmarets 
Jjrings one — Fouche leisurely sprinkles her brow.) 

QUICK CURTAIN. 



18 PLOT AND PASSION. 

ACT II. 

SCENE. — Interior of Collage, in ^Ih groov&s, 

Cecile discovered in arm choir, seemiitg lazily, B. d. 

Cecile. Oh, dear' oh, dear ! what a length these German days are^ 
to be sure! I suppose it's because one measures time by laughs in Paris, 
and by yawns in Prague, Two months have we been here— two months] 
with nothing to look at but those stupid trees, and flowers, and clouds, 
and that great, long, lazy river, run — running, shine — sliine — {yawnv)ig]\ 
shining in the sun all the day long ! Whatever could bring Madame to 
a place like this ? Prague ! as if anybody in their senses ever went to 
Prague, {takes a long stretch) and she pretends to enjoy it, too ! To be 
sure, she has M. de Neuville to make love to her, and very nicely he 
makes it. And I've nobody but that stupid Karl, who makes nothing 
but hay. Madame could not bring a valet from Paris, so we took Karl 
with the cottage. 

Enter Grisboulle, d. l. 

He's dreadful — doesn't even talk, only snorts ! and he's always at your 
elbow when you're not thinking of him ! 

GrasBODLLE (l.). Note! {holds out tetters. ) 

Cec. (r.J. Oh, Lord \ {starts) there he is ! Good-morning, Karl. 

Gris. Note ! 

Cec. Oh! for Madame, from M. de Neuville! I wondered we had 
been a whole day without seeing him ! He hasn't spent much time in 
his own little cottage since he made Madame's acquaintance I I never 
•saw a poor young man more in love, but Madame doesn't treat him as I 
sliould treat sucli a lover. (Grisboulle r^aVe* and busies himself with the 
fiower vases on the terrace) She is wearing his life out. They've had a 
liff, and this note's to make it up again. Coquette that she is ! never 
satistied but when she's flirting with somebody ! I wish I'd anything to 
fliit with — Kail does not know how — and he won't learn. Karl — 
{tenderlg) Karl. 

Gris. {gruffly). Eh? 

Cec, What are you about^ Karl ? 

Gris. Flowers. 

Cec Will you make me a bouquet, Karl ? {insinuatingly.) 

Gris. Can't. 

Cec. There ! was there ever ! {shrugs her sholders) Shall I teach you, 
Karl ] 

Gris. No. [Exit, d. l. 

Cec. Dear, dear ! one might as well try to amuse one's self with a 
German Primer. " Ach," " Och," " Ich ! " all in grunts of one syllable. 
But here comes Madame. 

Enter Madame de FontangeS, from the Uro/'acet C. 

A note, Madame, from M. de Neuville. 
Mad. de Fon. So. You may go, Cecile. 

\Gives hat to Cecile, who puts it on couch, ana exit, l. 
He has been playing truant for the last twenty-four hours, and this ex- 
plains his absence, I suppose. Poor fellow I I fear my dart has pierced 
lather deeper into that bare bosom than into the well-padded chests of 
my Parisian adorers. The vehemence of Ms passion startles me some- 



ACT II. 19 

times. It is his tropical temperament, I suppose. The sun, which has 
bronzed his cheek, may liave enriched liis blood and quickened his sus- 
ceptibilities, but can it make, nature truer, or afiection more constant'? 
No! he may be as chau2in2 and liolicv as the rest. If you could but 
believe in man, what a glorious thing love would be! The few tranquil, 
weeks I have spent here, since by a simple arlifice I made his acquaint- 
ance, I really think have Ijfeen the four haj)piest of my life. I liave not 
once missed the excitement of the cards! Strange! in playing with 
his heart, there have been moments when his earnestness lias shot a 
sudden thrill through m? whicli 1 never felt before. If it were th ) first 
stir of love ! Pshaw ! let me remember what I am, and what I have to 
do ! I wisli Fouchci had found another instrument. But his note, {she 
opens it and reads) " Madame — " Madame ! we are distant this morning. 
Monsieur — " If I listened to tiie promptings of my heart I would not 
begin thus coldly—" listen to them, Monsieur ! hnppy you if you hear 
anything — " but I dare not, and yet I cannot stille ihem. I love you 
madly — " poor fellow I " with a passion violent like my nature, but rev- 
erential as my worship of that saint whose sweet name you bear — " 
pretty! " my love is so real, so migovernable— you mast have seen ji — " 
What were eyes given us for? '•' and yet you will not deal with me as a 
true-hearted woman should." Alas ! if truth and heart both be want- 
ing ! " I would live for you— die for you -and you but trifle with me. 
Either tell me I am indifferent to you, and then I will go and wrestle 
with my grief alone, or show, by a tenderness like my own, that you are 
worthy of as true a devoLion as ever man felt for womin." {she pauses) 
" I have struggled with myself the whole night through before writing 
this — I am almost mad. If I am too bold, forgive me — for I cannot live 
out of your sight. Mav I come for your answer? Henri de Neuville.'' 
{she sits and lets the letter fall on her lap) If it should be true that his 
heart is of a different mould from those that till now have found their 
best use as my playthings, what a terrible task is this I am about '? I 
will go no further with it ! But Fouche's orders are irrevocable ; and. 
alone as I am here, so far away fiom Pai-is, I feel as if his cold, relentless 
eye was on me at every turn Who knows ? this man may after all be 
only a more consummate actor than the rest! This sliow of rough sin- 
cerity may be art. No, no ! I feel in my inmost self that he is true 
and noble! To win such a heart might make auy woman proud; but 
to win it on a cold, passionless calculation — to win it that I may place 
it under the point of Fouche's stiletto ! Oh ! foul, foul ! The more 
noble it is, the more hideous is my treachery ! What is to be done ? 

Enter Hexri de Nueville, hj terrace, l. h. 

Neuv. Your pardon, Madame, if I have come without a summons. 
You have read my letter ? 

Mad. de Fojr. Yes, M. de Neuville, and shall I tell you the truth 1 

Neuv. Tel! me nothing but the truth always. 

Mad. de Fon. The tone of it is new to me. 

Neuv. It may be, for it is the voice of a real, a devoted lovp — t!te love 
of a man who has never felt before what it was to hang with all his being 
upon the breath of another. Till now I have shared the iiopes,and fears 
and projects of my party, of tliose who looked to the restoration of our 
rightful King. But now ambition, projects, plots, hopes, fears, all are 
dead within me — my life, my soul are yours! 

Mad. de Fon. {restraining herself), I believe you feel all tlii.s now. but 
who can answer for himself a week l.ence? Love ! Who tlint knows the 
changefulness of the weather and the fashions can believe in the eternity 



20 PLOT AND PASSION. 

of anything, much less of love, which we change oftener than an April 
day, or a spring bonnet. 

Neuv. I cannot believe her frivolous who awakens in me what I feel. 

Mad. de Fon. At least do not conclude too soon. I shall sooti reiurn 
to Paris, and absence will test your devotion. 

Neuv. Absence ! You do not thinli I can leave you 1 

Mad. de Fon. Nay, it is impossible you can return to Paris, where,. 
Fouche threatens your liberty — indeed your life ! 

Neuv. Ha ! so danger is to deter me ! Go, go ! that you may see if I 
will follow — aye, though Fouciie's spies were ranged at every barrier, 
and 1 must run tlie gauntlet of them all ! But why return to Paris ? 
You are free. Our positions are equal. I offer you iny hand for the 
lumdreth time! Oh, make me happy with yours, and we will live here 
in an exile that we shall bless, because in it we shall be all in all to each 
other ! 

Mad. db Fon. {aside). This is real ! And shall I be his destroyer 1 
Forgive, me M. de Neuville, if I have appeared sometimes to trifle with 
you, but there are obstacles which even with love on both sides cannot 
be surmounted. 

Neuv. Obstacles ! Name them, that I may prove to you they are 
none. 

Mad. de Fon. Suppose I were to say I will never marry — that I find 
the liberty of widowhood too agreeable? 

Neuv, I would not believe you. Give me a better reason. 

Mad. de Fon. You have grave duties to your part}' — duties which 
love distracts you from. Till your King is restored to France you have 
no rig])t to chain your destinies to a woman 

Ne-uv. The King was first in my heart till I knew you — now he is spc- 
onck A better reason still. Do you love another 1 D3 Cevennes has 
boasted 

Mad. de Fon. He ! Oh, no ; ray heart is free ! But why force me to 
say there are motives— I regard you too much to tell you them. Do not 
ask me, if you would still love me as you say you do. 

Neuv. Oh, why will you not lay bare your heart to me, as T do mine 
to you ? 

Mad. de Fon. How do you know that T iiave one ? 

Neuv. By ths color that mounts to your cheek when I speak to you 
of love ; bv the languor that veils your eyes when we sit to^ethj^r and 
watch the sunset in a silence loo passionate for speech ; by the trem- 
bling of your voice when we bid each other farewell; by the thrill that 
shoots from my being to yom-s, from yours to mine, when our hands 
meet; or a tress of your hair brushes my cheek By these signs, and 
the thousand subtler that a lover's eye can see but no tongue can describe, 
so delicate are they. You have a heart, Marie de Fontanges, and that 
heait is mine ! (he seizes he)- hand.) 

Mad. DE Fon. (overcome) Henri, my own ! (stnrl^ btc/c from his em- 
brace) Sii-, you forget yourself ! you have no right to put my nervous 
susce])tibility to the proof of such excellent acting. 

Neuv. Acting ! 

Mad. de Fon. Yes ; do not talk to me, after that tirade of your inex- 
perience. Talma might take a lesson from you. I remember uttering ., 
just such a scream after his grand burst in " Oi-estes." 

Neuv. Oh. you will drive me mad ! {starting tip.) 

Mad. de Fon. No, no; but serious'y, {sits) ai-e you wise in yielding 
to this passion for one you scaicely know ? Why, 1 may be an adven- 
turess — who knows? an emissary of Fouche'.s, j)erhaps ? 

Neuv. No; the instincts of such a love as mine are infallible; 



I 






' ACT II. 21 

would shrink up at the contact of baseness as tlie sensitive plant at a 
touch ! I know you as if I had watclied your actions frura a child j — I 
know you as your own conscience knows you ! 

Mad. i>r Fun. Hush — hush, Henri ! 

Neuv )h I let me throw myself where (he slave shouhl be— at his 
tyrants feet; where the worshipper should be — piostrate before liis saint. 
(he throws himaelf at her feef) Let me but lie thus, and look up into your 
eyes, and rest my brow upon your hands, and forget tiuie, duty, dan- 
ger, all in the delirous happiness of ray love ! {he sails the action to the 
word. ) 

Mad. de Fon. Oh, Henri! check this passion — you must; it is not 
that ray heart is cold to it, if I durst listen to its promptings ! 

Mnter Cecile, c, comes down r. Henri rises. 

Cecile. a gentleman, Madame— o-h, I beg pardon! — who gave his 
card, (aside) Very pretty ! 

Mad. de Fon. M. Le!>on. (aside) Desmarets ! (rises and goes to l.") 

Neuv. My preserver! Oh, show him in here, Cecile, at ouce ! 

[Exit Ceciliv, C. a7id l. 
I lon» to see and thank hira. He saved me, Marie, on that uight I was 
to have been arrested from your house. 

Mad. de Fon. (aside) Fouclie distrusts me. The taskmaster is sent 
to overlook the slave. It is too late ! 

Enter Cecile showing in Desmarets, c. from l. 

Cecile. M. L-^bon. [Exit, Cecile, r. 

Des. Beiuii on my way from Vienna, whither a little money affair 
(iook me, I ventured to pay my respects to Madame. 

Mad. de Fox. (bows). You are at home in my house, Sir, as you 
know. , 

Des. You are too kind! 

Neuv. Failin:; Madame de Fontanges, you have a sacred right of 
asyiiiiu with me, M Lebon ; you remember me 1 

"Des. Ah, M. de Neuville I 

Neuv. Your timely warning saved me on the night Fouche was to have 
arrested me. 1 have bewildered myself in endeavoring to discover a 
clue \o the treachery which betr.iyed me. Can you explain it ? 

Des. Wo live in wretched times, my young friend. Tlie son is not 
safe from the father, the husband from the wife, the lover from his b >- 
loved, (looks at Madame de Fontanges) Fouche buys up all affections 
and all dignities. 

Neuv. Say, rather, all treacheries and all basenesses ! But here I can 
defy him. Spies cannot breathe the air of puiity and peace that bathe-i 
tiiese blue hills, and scarce ripples that ]>lacid river. I only think of 
him as of an adder, whose spring I have escaped, and whose his.ses [ 
laugh at. (takes up a flower) But how came you to be warned of ray 
danger "? 

Des. Oh! one of his creatures, the wretched D 'smarets,ha(l a scruple 
of conscience, or rather some fear for his own safely, which led him to 
reveal the plot to me, that I might warn you. 

Neuv. So ! 

Des. By-the by — what interesting documents that lasi; pamphlet of 
youi-s briuiis to light. How did you procure tiiem ? 

Nruv. From an unknown correspondent, one evidently having access 
to the archives of the Police. 



22 PLOT AND PASSION. 

Des. You have, of course, pieserved the letters transmittin<T tliera ? 

Neuv. No ! fearing they might some day endanger my unknown in-o- 
formant, I burnt every scrap I ever received from him. 

Des. (aside). I am safe ! Ah, that's a pity ; you might, in case of 
danger, have purchased safety by denouncing him. 

Neuv. M. Lebon, that is a counsel no gentleman would take, I am 
surprised any gentleman should give it^ 

Des. A'h ! you have the cliivalry of youth, I the caution of riper 
years ; — but this conversation is not interesting to Madauje. 

Mad. de Fon. Pardon Die ! all that concerns Fouche has a strange 
fascination for me, 

Des. Oh ! I could tell you stories of him that would horrify you ! 
Conceive his employing a troop of wretched, degraded women, whom he 
calls his " Cohorte Cyth6rienne,'' to attract his victims within his reach 
— and they do it. too. 

Neuv. Can there be women so base ? 

Mad. de Fon. (aside). Viper! (aloud) Before we condemn, we should, 
linow the the arts by which he has enslaved them. Once enslaved, it] 
may be they are powerless. 

Necv. But surely death would be preferable to such baseness 1 

Mad. de Fon. Death ! — Yes ! But he can disgrace these women ; re- 
veal their shame to the world — nay, worse — to those they love, and who 
love them ! What death is so sharp as that 1 

Des. Poor creatures — poor creatues ! They are much to be pitied. 
I pity them, especially when I think there may be hauglUy beauties 
among them, wlio have been used to despise others. 

Mad. de Fon. (as de). He chafes me to distraction ! (aloud to D^ 
Neuville) M. Lebon is a stranger to our valley, M. de Neuville; wiil 
you show liim the lovely prospect from these hills ? 

Neuv. With pleasure, if M. Lebon will accept me for a guide ; but I 
warn you it is rough climbing. 

Des. Never fear, I've a strong sense of the picturesq^ie. 

Neuv. But have you a strong pair of legs ? You hare— eh 1 Then 
come along ; I'll show you every sight worth seeing within a league 
round (aside to Mad. de F.) and dream of you dearest, at each point, 
where we have sat together. 

Des. Au revoir, Madame ! 

[Exeunt Desmarets and de Neuville, hij the terrace. 

Mad. de Fon. Yes, the mask is off at last ! I see my hideous self ! 
And he thinks me pure ! The sincerity of his own nature reflects itself on 
mine ! What an awakening, should he learn the truth ! And Desmarets 
malignant as he is, will soon find out I love him. What is to be done % 
Fouclie alone can relieve me from this task, which, base always, is now 
a sacrilege ; for I love liim — love him as he is worthy to be loved — love 
him with my whole soul ! Yes .' I will write to Eouche. 

"Enter Desmarets hy terrace, 

I feel a power within me that will work even upon him. I will write at . 
once ! (as she turns for -writing mnierials her eye falls on Desmarets — she ll 
stands staring at him, then sinks into a seat) You here again ! | 

Des. I have dispatched M. de Neuville into Prague for my ca'eche. 
Let me congratulate you, Madame, on the restorative effects of the 
Austrian air. You look so much better— that is— yon did until you saw 
me. You were going to write to Fouche— i)ray write — unless you Lhir.k j 
I can save you the trouble. 

Mad. de Fon. He has sent you down here 1 



II 



:«i 



ACT II. 23 

Des. Yes; he was naturally anxious about your heakli, and he sent 
me lo inquh-e — merely to inquire. He was also anxious lo know liow 
our little ruse was succeeding — when we might expect to see the Siren 
wing her flight back to Paris, with her captive in her clutch. 

^IAD. DE FoN. Desmarets. 1 have lived a new life since that piomise 
was made. I cannot keep it. 

Des. Ah — M. Fouche will be sorry to hear it. He is so particular 
about promises, so very particular 

Mad. de Fon. Sir, you have professed an interest in me ; if you retain 
a sj-ark of that interest still, release me from the degrading tatk to 
which M. Fouche has condemned me. 

Des. Listen to nie, Marie de Fontanges, I am not young, not pler^sant 
to look at; I have no graces of speech j I am what the world calls a 
spy, an informer— what you will that is more ignoble and treacherous; 
but I have a will like hon, and a head which, under any other chances, 
might have made a diiferent man of me. Till 1 knew you, all my species 
were alike to me — counteis to be pushed about as suited my game ; but 
at sight of you I felt that you were my fate — my good angel, if you 
chose to be so ! 

Mad. de Fon. Oh ! no, no ! we are our own pood and evil angels. 

Des. Let me finish. You spurned me once in a fasliic n that few men 
of a less determined sjririt would provoke or endure twice. Yet 1 pro- 
voke it again, for proud as you are I love'you still. 

Mad. de Fon. Oh ! uo, no ! 

Des. 1 love you still ! There is but one way to save you irom Fouche 
— it is by sacrificing him ! Give me but liopes that lime will change 
your scorn of roe to endurance — leave me to change endurance into piiy. 
and pity into love. From day the which gives me that hope, Joseph 
Fouche's fall and your rescue are both begun ! 

INIad. de Fon. This from you ! I thought you were devoted to him. 

Des. 01), so I am — so I am ! — ha, ha, ha ! but my devotion nevev 
stands in the way of my will — never ! 

Mad. de Fon. But surely it is madness in you to dream of striking 
at one placed so high and and seated so securely 1 

Des. Ho, ho, ho ! {cJmckles) A small worm may sink a big ship ! Lis- 
ten ! 

Cev. (without). At least you can announce me, my tactiturn friend. 
The Marquis de Cevennes — de Cevennes ! 

Des. That fool ! Will you see him? 

Mad. de Fon. No, no ; not now ! 

Des. He is here — we will resume this this conversation when he is 
gone. 

Mad. de Fon. (going into her room). Oh, sir, have pity on m.e ! 

\_Exit into her room, E, 

JSnter De Cevennes, c. from l., shown in hy Gkisboulle. 

Cev. He is certainly the man of the fewest words I ever — Ah ! Mad- 
ame not here, eh ? The excellent M. Lebon, (De Cevenkes carries in 
his hand a common stout walking-stick with a silver head) one of oui' pni'iy 
on that eventful night when I was so highly honored and so jieariy shot. 
You have not forgotten me ? 

Des. Few that meet the Marquis de Cevennes can forget him. 

Cev. Ah, Monsieur you are very polite! Yes, it was a deliohtful 
.soiree — thet is, all but the little mistake which concluded it. Would you 
believe it, sir, I've been three times to Prague and back since that event- 
ful evening! But it's very odd — many as are the dispatches 1 cany, 1 



24 PLOT AND PASSION. 

never biin<; back any answer — " vestigia mt/la retrorsum ! " Not that I- re- 
turn empty handed, either — the ladies of the court employ rae about tlieir 
little commi!>sions— give me things to carry — the oddest things, some- 
limes. Now, on this occasion, wliat do you tiiink the Duchess von Kuis- 
erleben gave me to take to the Duke of Otranto'? Only guess. 

Des. Oh, I give it up ! 

Cev. a stick— this stick — {holding it up) neither more nor less. Odd 
present from a Duchess to a Duke, is it notl 

Des. {takes it and sways it in his hand). Very; Dukes have given such 
things to Duchesses now and then. 

Cev. You can examine it at your leisure while I wait for Madame. 

Des. Shall I order you some refreshment'? 

Cev. Eh ! well, really — if you can take the liberty — but shall I not 
see her first? 

Des. I am afraid not — she was denied to me — she is not well. 

Cev. Poor creature ! excitable always ! Well, if I cannot see her, I 
think a cutlet and a bottle of Geisenheimer— 

Des. Karl! 

Grisboulle appears on the terrace and comes down. 

Karl, luncheon for the Marquis, {aside to him) Not here ! 

Qris. Good! (Grisboulle ^oe* 0^, L.) 

Cev. a thousand apologies for the trouble. By the way, I have been 
so constantly on the move since the eventful evening, I have never been 
able to recover any trace of my secretary, M. de Neuville. Yow re- 
member the young man the Duke took such a fancy to, who disap- 
peared so mysteriously on the sam3 eventful evening? What can have 
become of him ? 

Des. Ah! from discretion, I've never inquired. 

Gris. {appearing at door, i,.). Lunc i ! 

Cev. Ah! my friend of the limited vocabulary ! Have you observed 
how very sparing he is of words ? 

Des. Dis— cretion. 

Cev. Yes ; I have remarked the Germans are discreet. 

Gris. Lunch ! (Desmarets makes him a signal.) 

Cev. I'm coming, my abrupt friend, I'm coming, {as he goes off looking 
at him) A most repulsive {)hysiognomy ! [^Exit De Cevex:nes, l. 

Des. Tht chattering ape lias left behind him the only- thing worth a 
thought — this stick. Ah ! he little knew I turned it! {he screivs off the 
head of the stick, which is hollow, and draws out a roll of paper) Tiie answer 
to Fouche's last dispatch, which went, by the way, in a pate of snipe. 
{opens paper) Why will Joseph not trust h's old friend] Why will he 
force him to this sort of thin:T ] (looks at paper) So, Joseph : more coun- 
terplotting the Emperor, and in his marriage, too! He wants an Austrian 
wife, and you insist on giving him n, Russian one. Have a care, Joseph, 
have a carf It's a game of heads, Joseph, and thine totters, Joseph, 
totters ! totters ! Karl I 

Enter Grisboulle, l. 

Gris. What? 

Drs. a fac-simile of this paper immediately. 

Gris. Good ! [Exit, l. 

Des a very iluable mm, Grii^boulle. He can assume any distzuise, 
copy any handwiiting, drink any quantity of wine, and never goes be- 
yond monosyllables. 



ACT II. 25 

Enter Madame db Fontanges, d, b; 

Mad. de Fon . Has the Marquis gone ? 

Des. No; but he is at table, where, as I don't hear hira chattering, I 
conclude his teeth are employed. Let me resume the conversation he in- 
terrupted. 

Mad. de Fon. You ventured to threaten Fouche ! 

Des. 1 never bark when 1 cannot bite ! Papers of his are in my hands 
that would condemn! him were lie ten times Fouche! 

Mad. de Fon. And he knows this 1 

Des. a man must trust somebody ! He has trusted me ! Ho, ho, 
ho! — And I will trust you ! I contrived the place of deposit for these 
very papers. You know the picture on the left of your drawing-room J 

Mad. de Fon. Yes. 

I>ES. Press the third ornament on the right side of tlie frame ; the 
picture moves and discovers a passage. It leads from my house to 
yours. 

Mad. de Fon. Ha ! 

Des. Touch the msette of the third panel in that passage — it slides 
away. In the recess stands the box containing Fouche's treasonable 
correspondence with Bernadotte, with Muiat, with all who have an in- 
terest in the Emperor's death, or hopes of sharing the spoil of his down- 
fall ; there, too, are tiie Emi)eror's private letters and in.truciions, the 
bulwaik to whicli Fouche trusts when all else fails him. Madame de 
Fonlanges, 1 have given you my secret. I have put into your hands the 
master-key to my life and fortunes ; you knov/ my secret 1 

Mad de Fon. {refiects). Your secret is safe with me ! 

Grisboulle enters silently, c., and unseen by Madame de Fontanges, 
lays paper on table and exit, tvith look at Desmajsets, noiselessly. 

Des. I have surrounded Fouche himself with the meshes of my police. 
He is inquisitor over France. I am inquisitor over him. (jtakes pi-pers 
Grisboulle has left) See here, th.s is a secret dispa.tch which that ass, 
De Cevennes, is bearer of without knowing it. That was never intended 
to come to my knowledge ; yet liere is a fac-simile of it, which goes to 
Fouche, while I retain the orignal, {he places fac-simile m slick) You see 
I show you my cards! 

Mad. de Fon. And having overthrown Fouche, you would aspire to 
his i)ost 1 

Des. If alone, yes; if with you, no, I will go where you bid me— 
be what you will — if you will not refuse the endurance, which is all I 
ask, in return for restoring ym to honor and happiness 7 

Mad. de Fon. (r. c, ). Give me some time for reflection! 

Des, Oh, certainly ! certainly ! Werah iny offer well. I will wait for 
your answer before I return to Paris. Work with me if you will — betray 
me if you dare! [Exit by terrace, l. 

Mad. de Fon. He dare attack Fouche lo serve his ambition ! Sim II [ 
fear him to save my love ? These secrets! Without betraying him [ 
might use them to extiicate myself and save Henri. Desmraets does 
not know I love Hem i ; he must not see us toiieLhei ! 1 must fly to 
Paris wiihout leaving any trace of my route. Tlieie I will see Fonclie, 
and, failing prayers, tiiis secret must serve me against him. Dut how to 
leave this phice undisciovored ? * 

Cev. {without). My c.irria^e at o'lce ! 

Mad. de Fon. Ha! his carriage J 



2G 



PLOT AND PASSION. 



Enter De Cevennes, d. l. 

Cev. Ah ! Madame, this is indeed happiness. I was going away a 
heaii-broken prilgiina without a sight of the fair saint of my pilgrim- 
:ige. 

Mad. de Fon. A truce to compliments, Marquis ; it is inipoiiant I 
should return to Paris speedily and secretly. Will you give me a beat 
in your caleche ? 

Cev. Ah, Madame I the felicity will be overpowering, {aside) Dis-cre- 
tJon ! 

Mad. de Fon. I will meet you at the turn of the road. Not a word 
to any one ! 

Cev. Fot even that dear M. Lebon 

Mad. de Fon. To him least of all. 

Cev. 1 fly, a hapi)ier man iu every respect, {aside') A perpetual t^te ^ 
teie with a lovely creature all the way to Paris ! 

[Exit De Cevennes, c. and l. 

Mad. de Fon. Yes, I will go — but Henri, what will lie think of this 
dej)arture'? Oh! 1 cannot leave him;- and yet, with Desmarets heie, 
1 dare not risk a parting, or our love will be known, and with it, my in- 
fimy. Yes, I must go for his sake; and, oi ce at Paris, I may see him, 
and free raj'self from tlie sword which is always hanging over my head. 
Yes, though my heart break, I must leave yon, Henri ! — And yet, to go 
without one word ! No — no — I cannot. — {she writes a iwte hayiily ctid leaves 
it on the tab!e) And now, dear home where I have first known peace and 
and love, good-by — good-by — good-by ! {^he tJiravs herself down and 
buries her face in a chnir^ then ristpg, looks pubsiorintdy about her. Thaz, 
after tying on her Jiat, takes a flower from one of the vases and exits- h',f'= 
riediy along terrace and r.) 



Des. Ah \ EOt here. 



Enter Desmarets, c. 



Enter Cecilb, door e. 



Where is your mistress 1 
Cec. Out, I suppose, sir. 
Des. She has not passed out by the terrace. 
Cec. All I know is, she's not in her room. 
Des. Where can she be 1 

Enter Grisboulle, c. 

I'm in a cold sweat till she pronounces her decision. Ah ! here's one 
who will know something. Where is Madame ? 

Gris. Gone ! 

Cec. Gone 1 

Des. Gone ! with no word for me 'i 

Gris. {seeing note on table). Note! {gives it, B,.) 

Dks. {looking at address). For me 1 

Gris. No ! 

Drs {reads address). M. de Neuville ! [readi) "Farewell! I leave 
this place — peihaps for ever. Ask not why or whither — I love you 
passionately. But I must leave you. Marie." Gone ! — by what means 1 

Gris. {at terrace). Look ! (Desmarets turns up and looks out.) 

[Exit Grisboulle. 



ACT IIo 27 

Bes. De Oevennes' carriafre stops at the turn of the road — a woman 
gets ill — it is she ! Tiie carriaore starts again at full gallop 1 

Cec. Gone ! {she runs off, d. r.) 

Drs. Oh ! fool that I was to leave ray caleclie at Praguo ! Slie car- 
ries luy secret with her ! My fortune — my life may depend on my out- 
stripping them to Paris. But this note to De Neuville ! — " 1 hn-e you pas- 
sionately ! " Can she really love him ? Then her listening to me was a 
trick to worm my secret out of me, and tlien use it for herself, I 
see it all, all now 1 Oh ! gull, idiot that I am ! She loves him, and so 
flies to escape the revelation of her infamy face to face. What hinders 
me from revealing it to him still ? Or shall I keep the secret and let him 
follow her to Paris ? Were he brought there, Fouche's end would be 
gained. He has burnt my letters. I have nothing to fear from his ar- 
rest now. Yes, it shall be done — he shall follow her to Paris, She has 
gone wiLh De Cevennes — ah ! jealousy — ^jealousy ! — I will destroy him, 
reveal her shame, and break two hearts — a'l at one blow. Ho ! ho ! ho ! 
'Tis a revenge might satisfy Belzebub, or Fouche himself. 

Enter De Neuville, c. from l , in joyous excitement, speaking as he enters. 

Neuv. M Lebon, your caleche will be here in ten minutes ; I saw it 
brought out, and the horses harnessed. 1 am sorry you leave us so soon, 
and so will Mad une Da Fontansies be, I am sure ; but at least you must 
not go without a stirrup cup. Here, Karl !— wine ! Cecile, tell Madame 
M. Lebon is going. 

Des. Madame is gone herself! 

Neuv. What do you mean ? Gone ! Where ? 

Des. Nobody knows. 

Nauv. Surely s!ie has left some word— some letter 

Des. Nothing ! 

Neuv. But wiien — how did she go ? 

Des. Just now — in the carriage with the Marquis De Cevennes. 

Neuv, The Marquis De Cevennes! — {he stands aghast) gone with De 
Cevennes ! What can this mean ? With De Cevennes. my friend? 

Dks 'Tis the privilege of friends at Paris. 

Neuv. This accounts for her caprice— her hesitation— her trifling with 
my passion. She was only playing with me, to pass away the time, 
while that frivolous coxcomb Tvas in her heart all the while i Gone ! 
(crosses r.) 

Des. Forget her. 

Neuv. Forget her ! Old man, she has grown a part of me — to tear 
out her image, 1 must tear out my heartstrings with it ! Oh ! to know 
what road they have taken ! 

Des. We have no chance of overtaking them. 

Neuv. We have 1 What speed can outstrip revenge ? 

Des. Revenge ! 

Neuv. Do you think that when one of ray blood is so wronged, he 
that wrongs him is allowed to live? {^crosses to l. He is going.) 

Des. My carriage will be here immediately. It is at your service. 
We will go together. 

£!nter Grisboulle, c. 

Neuv. Thanks, my friend, thanks ! — but, their route, their route? How 
to discover thatl No matter, the instinct of revenge will guide me — 
<iome! 

Karl. I know, {stop, c.) 

Neuv. Ah ! the roaa ! — speak ! speak! 



28 PLOT AND PASSION. 

Karl. To Paris. 

Nedv. To Paris! to Paris 1 Quick! 

Des. Think of the clanger. Arrested by Fouche on French soil you 
are a dead man ! 

Re-enter Cecile, r. h. 

Neuv. Death may be there, bnt revenge is by its side. I want that 
first ; then let deatli come ! To Paris, to Paris ! 

Des. He is mine I {following DbNefville, l. it. e ) 

Cecile. Gkisboulle. 

R. K. c. 

QUICK CtTRTAIN 



ACT in. 

SCENE. — Same as in Act I. — Night — stage dark— candles unlighted on table, 
R. c. , and mantelpiece. 

Enter Mada:me de Fontanges, shown in b^ Jabot, c. d., who has a lantern 
in his hand. 

Jab. (r. c). A thousand excuses, Madame, for having kept you at 
the door. 

Mad. de Fon. Enough, my good Jabot, I accept them j I was not 
expected. 

Jab. I had retired unusually earl}-. 

Mad. de Fon. No more apologies ; light the candles and leave ms. 

Jab. Madame — (Ji-esitaimg.) 

^Iad. de Fon. Well, why do you not light them? 

Jab. A thousand pardons, Madame, but 

Mad. de Fon. {feeling for and finding them). Here they are! 

Jab. Yes ; but Madame will understand — [ am not in a fit state ; I 
ask pardon — hut my — my deshabille; I am not fit to appear 

Mad. dk Fon. {laughing). Oh, my poor Jabot 1 — 1 undersiaud — leave 
your lantern -I will light the candles. 

Jab. You are too good, Madiune ; you have relieved my mind. You 
require nothing more, Madame 1 ; 

Mad. de Fon. Nothing, Jabot. Good night! 

Jab. I have the honor, {bows) In two minutes I will be prepared to 
appear before you, as pro})nety requires. 

Mad. de Fon. Do not come unless 1 ring. [Exit Jabot, c. 

Madame de Fontanges lights the candle hastihj. 

By good f )rtunG and the Marquis's liberality to the postilions, we have 
reached Paris before Desmareis. While De Cevennes slept, I have, ex- 
tiacted the fac-simile of the secret dispatch from the cane. It is an- 
other arm against Fouche. Now to secure the papers Desniarets de- 
scribed — with them I nu\v conquer Fouche at his own weapons ! lie 
shall find I have not servt-d in his school for nothing ! {goes to ]{, n. in f. 
and feels for the spring) The spring should be in liii:4 ornanienL — [site feels 
for it) — )'es, the picture yields ! {door opens and discovers FouciiE ■uniJtui. 
a dark lantern in his hand) Fouche! (the candle ihe ho ds begins to tremble 



ACT III. 29 

tn her hand from the violence of her agitation — Fouche remains calm and un- 
moved.) 

Fou. The candlestick is too heavy for your liand, Madame ; allow me 
to relieve you of it. {he takes the candlestick from her, and puts it on the 
table— aside) A minute sooner and she would have have found me at ihe 
recess ! {to her) You are agitaied ; pray sit down and compose youiself. 
{she Kits mechanically l. of table. Aside) Can she know anything 1 {aloud) 
I was not aware you had the .secret of that passage. 

Mad. de Fon. I discovered it by an accident, {hesitating .) 

Fou. {aside). I told Desmarets it was unsafe, {aloud) I ought to apol- 
ogize for making such a breach in your parly wall without notice, but 
I have such on objection to being announced, and 1 hate front doors. 

Mad. de Fon. You have reason. 

Fou. {sits, R.). You seemed startled to see me? 

Mad. de Fon. I did not 'know— {pause.) 

Fou. Oh ! my visit then is an unexpected pleasure — not so ^'ours 1 
{aside) What can have brought her back 1 

Mad. de Fon. You knew I had left Prague? 

Fou. How else should 1 have been prepared to receive you 1 

Mad. de Fon. No news could have reached you ! I left suddenly, 
and we travelled as fast as four horses could carry us. 

Fou. {aside). We % A companion ! {aloud) Four leagues an hour is 
good travelling, but the telegraph beats it. 

Mad. de Fon. Inscrutable man! Then you know all] 

Fou. Not all, precisely, but most ; your travelling com[ anion, for ex- 
ample. 

Mad. de Fon, De Cevennes has told you ? 

Fou, {aside). So, it was he ! {aloud) My dear Madame, if 1 gave up 
my sources of information 1 should not long hold my poi tfolio of the 
Police, Enough, that I know of your leaving Prague in company wiih 
the Marquis. 

Mad, DE FoN, You had your spies even there! Perhaps you know 
my reasons for leaving ? . 

Fou. The reasons you s^ave the Marquis, of course. But a lady's 
real reasons are beyond even my penetration. Perhaps you will favor 
me with them — I am all attention. 

Mad. de Fon. You know how I struggled against the duty you im- 
posed upon me. {he bozvs) But your hold over me was too strong, {/le 
bows again) I yielded and set about my work — leluctantly, at first, but 
by degrees the devil of womanly vanity got the upper liand, and 1 laid 
fiiege to De Neuville's heart with all the arts that my experience of 
Parisian society had taught me. Impassioned and inexperienced in 
woman's wiles be was an easy conquest. 
. Fou. You see I chose my emissary well. 

Mad. de Fon. You did not ! 

Fou. Ah ! 

Mad. de Fon. You thought the hot wind of play had dried up in me 
all that was good or akin to good — I thought so too, Neiiiier of us ki.ew 
how vital the roots of love are in a woman's nature. At contact with 
the fresh and springing life of his i)assion my dead aflfectiou wakened, 
til! what we both thought a stone became a living, leaping, loving 
woman's heart. I found him rea^y to follow me to the jaws of 
death 

Fou. And you did not lead him to Paris 7 It was a blunder ! 

Mad. de Fon. I resolved to risk my life to save his. I knew all I 
exposed myself to in disobeying your orders. I knew thai shame, im- 
prisonment, perhaps death, lay in the path of duty. There they sit in 



00 PLOT AND PASSION 

yoii — and liere {rising') stands love in me to meet and grai)ple with 
tiiera ! 

Fou, {rises). ^011 would liavo made a capital actress! But nc 
Iieioics, pray — leave them to the thealie and Mademoiselle Georges. 
You have told me what brought you back ; and now obliiie nje by ex- 
plaining liow you mean to conduct this struggle between shame, &c., or 
Joseph Fouche, and love, &c., or Marie de Fontanges 1 

Mad. de Fon. I should not have said '' struggle." How can an un- 
friended woman struggle with the potent Minister of Police 1 

Fou. Exactly the question I wished to ask, better expressed. 

I\Iad. de Fon. 1 meant, after telling ^''ou the tru?h, to have appealed 
to the good [ cannot believe utterly dead in you, now that it lias re- 
vived in me. Ah, Fouche ! think of all tliat virtuous love meaiis in a 
woman like me — self-scorning, self-loathing, living only to be the prey 
of frantic excitement, or the tool of dark intrigues. It is the branch 
that sweetens the bitter waters of my life — the ray that breaks upon the 
labors of the prisoner to tellhim he has pierced the outer wall of his 
dungeon. Till I knew it, I had nothiiis to believe in — nothing to vener- 
ate — nothing to live for. Having it, a future of peace and purity opens 
before me. Do not darken this future ! Spare liim, that I may love 
him — far from Paiis — far from plots, and intrigues, and passions. Spare 
him, Fouche ! Sf>are him ! — and spare me! {she has risen while sjjeakmg, 
mid now falls on lier knees grasping Fodche's hand.) 

Fou. {who has betrayed once or twice slight signs of emotion). What elo- 
quence earnestness gives ! I never could feel in earnest, or I should 
have been eloquent. Rise, Madame ! We will talk of this again when 
you are less excited. 

Mad. de Foi^. No — now — here. I will not leave this spot till you 
have answered me 

Fou. I am sorry for it, as T must refuse. 

Mad. de Fon. Refuse! Oh, you cannot! 

Fou. {shrugs his should'^rs). You caiuiot understand state reasons, or 
you would see I must. What would the world say of Fouche if tiiey 
heard that having the sei pent under his heel, he forbore to crush it, out 
of conside-ation for a woman's unreasonable passion. My dear Madame, 

1 should have all the serpents hissing at once. No — once for all — it can- 
not be. I will listen to no more, {crossing c ) 

Mad db Fon. {rising). Beware, Joseph Fouche I 

Fou. {turning and smiling). Eh ! you spoke 1 

Mad de Fon. You have laughed at my love — fear my hate ! 

Fou. Come, this is better ; your grief pained me, your rage amuses 
me 

Mad. de Fon. Take care lest the time should come when you will sue 
to me. 

Fou. Eh? ha, ha! Excuse my laughing, but — wh^^n shall I sue to 
you ? Ha ha ! ha !— though you are charming enough, especially when 
excited, to render it not improbable. 

Mad. de Fon. Mocker ! I tell you I have means of action against you 
you little dieara of — 1 will use them —I warn you of it— ruthlessly — re- 
morselessly — if by them alone I ca:i save the man I love ! 

Fou. {aside). Can she know anything ? Pshaw! a woman's bravado. 
[ho turns and bows) Madame, I ]\i]^-e the honor 

Mad. de Fon. {crosses l ). The:) we separate on my terms. 

Fou. No — on mine. Return to Prague. Fultill your contract, and all 
shall be foi gotten that has occurred to-night. Refuse — and to-morrow, 
your connection with the Police is the topic of conversation in every 
salon of Paris. 



ACT III. 31 

Mad. pe Fok. Very well I Then it is war between us — war to tlie 
knife ! Be it so ! [Exit, l 

Fou. Slie has a man's courage, at all events. I ra-ther like lier. But 
these threats are childish. My i)apers aie safe — I saw iheni a quarter 
or an l)oiir ago. It is now ten o ci*-clv.. You are mistress of the situa- 
tion to-niglit ; to-morrow it will be too late I {a ri?tg hearii) Ha ! a late ar- 
rival ! (looks out of windoiv) The Marquis de Cevennes. come, no doubt, to 
inquire after the health of his travelling companion. He will be sur- 
prised to find me ! [Exit, k. d. in f. 

Enter Jabot {dressed), shewing m De Cevennes, c. 

Jab. I will announce M. le Marquis to Madame ! 

Cev. Do I Say I merely wish to assure myself she has not suffered 
by our rapid journey, {exit Jabot, c,. closing doors) or been annoyed by 
my attentions on the road. A charming tete a teie! Unluckily I was so 
fatigued I slept most part of the way ! 

Enter Fouche by r. d. in p., unseen by De Cevennes. 

I will see Madame first, and then for the dear Duke! 

Fou. No ; the dear Duke first, and tlien Madame ! 

Cev. {turning). Ha! the Duke heie ! why, how did you enter 1 

Fop. My movements, like my intelligence, are rather mysterious, Mar- 
quis ! But here I am. I congratulate you on your quick return, and o\\ 
your fair compagnon de voyage ! 

Cev. Oil ! your Grace has heard ! It's incredible ! 

Fou. (i«.)- You delivered your dispatches 7 

Cev. Yes! 

Fou. They required no answer. I think I may dismiss you at once to 
Madame. 

Cev. Ah ! I had almost forgotten ! The Duchess Von Kaiserleben — 
really, 'tis too odd, too ridiculous — paiiicularly requested me — you'll ex- 
cuse the absurdity — to pi esent the Abbe Lenoir — now don't be angry I 
-with this vs'alking cane! 

Fou. Give it me ! (coolly inking the cane from the Marquis.) 

Cev. You are not surprised ? 

Fou. Never! so — a pretty cane! The handle is a souvenir. Qook nj 
at the head) See! {shows it him.) 

Cev. Why, I never observed before ; 'tis a deaths head and cio^s 
bones ! 

Fou. Yes ; an appropriate present to me, in my spiritual capacity ; 
very pretty and cheerful ! 

Ckv Remarkably! {aside) How very lugubrious ! 

Fou. You are impatient to see your travelling companion ? You will 
find her in that room ; {pointing to folding doors, l.) return here before 
you leave the house. I may have a fresh commission for you — a new 
mark of the imperial favor. 

Cev. Ah, your Grace ! {aside) I wish, though, he'd give me a little 
time for repose between my journeys ; I am worn to a skeleton ! 

[Exit De Cevennes, l. 

Fou. So — and now for Czernitchefts dispatch ; it should announce the 
final stipulations for the Russian alliance, {begins to nnscrnv the head of 
the cam] The Emperor's heart is set on the Austrian Arcliducliess , biit 
my head on the Russian. Head against heart is des])erate odds always ! 
(he has unscrtwed the head and has found the hollow empty) Hows this! 
Empty? Can Czernitcheff be retreating, or has this foul discovered and 



32 PLOT AND rAssroN. 

abstracted the paper 1 No. no ; it is incredible ! Or can some sharper 
sight have penetrated the secret 1 I must find ont, for this is a matter 
of life and death to me ! I have gone between the hon and his prey, 
and have no inclination to try the weight of his imperial paw. {reflects.) 

Re-enter De Cevennes, l. 

Cev. So now for this new mark of imperial favor. Monsieur 1e Due. 
Madame having retired, I am at your Grace's service. 3 

Fou. {angrily). So! Sir — this is the way you discharge your com-] 
missions ! The Duchess's i)iesent Las been mutilated ? j 

Cbv. Mutilated ! The stick is as when I received it— upon the honor I 
of a De Cevennes. 

Fou. The Duchess's letter, describing it. speaks of diamonds in the 
eyes of the skull. They have been abstracted. 

Cev. No — upon my honor ! 

Fou. The stick must have quitted your hands ! 

Cev. Never I I kept tight hold of it all the way from Prague to 
Paris. 

Fou. You slept in the carriage ? 

Cev. Not a wink — on the honor of a De Cevennes. 

Fou. Then you extracted llie diamonds yourself! 

Cev. Oh! M. le Due— what a slur on ilie honor of a De Cevennes ! 

Fou. That for the honor of the De Cevennes. {crosses h., snapping his 
fingers) I am dissatisfied with you. Sir ! 1 know your intrigues with 
the exiled family — you may need to lake better care of your own head, 
thnn you have of this cane's. Look to it, Sir ! And now, sit at that 
table and write, briefly, the stages of your journey, your places of stop- 
page, the persons you n-et. {aside) I must at once dispatch ai. other 
messenger to inquire into this; in the mean time, lest there should be 
anything in Madanie's threat, there can be no harm in setting a watch 
to see that she does not leave the house to-night. [Exit. r. d. in f. 

Cev. {writing at l. of table, not aware the Duke has left the room). 
You shall have every information, M. le Due. {writes) "Left Prague on 
the 16Lh, at ten. Lunched at Madame de Fcntanges' cottage, laside) 
Shall I say I met M. Lebon ? 1 had better tell the truth — as he kr.ows 
everything. Started with Madame— he knows that too. What was the 
next stage! Eh I Oh! those dieadfu! Geiman names — 1 haven't the 
least notion how to spell Schratzenellenbogen — 1 must appeal to the 
Duke. Monsieur — M, le Due. how do you .'^pell — {looks ioioid) Eh ! spell 
— why I declare he's gone, {riswg — tlic foldivg doors open) Here he 
comes, {he runs to table and Irgins to write diligently.) 

Enter Madame de Fontanges, l. 

INIad. de Fon. The doors are guarded. The officer has orders not to 
allow me to quit the house ! 'What is to be done to get this paper car- 
ried ? Ha! Fouche not here, and De Cevennes alone! May I trust 
him? I must. Monsieur, (she comes fonvard.) 

Cev. Eh ! not the Duke ! Madame, you come to save me. 

Mad. de Fon. How ? 

Cev, Madame, for the love of mercy, how do you spell Schratzen- 
ellenbogen ? 

Mad,'de Fox. P.shaw ! You have seen the Duke 1 

Cev. I have, {dolefidly.) 

Mad. de Fon. And this new mark of imperial favor he promised you ? 

Cev. There's a hitch somewhere. In fact I m a disgraced — a mined 



ACT III. , 33 

man, and it will be entirely owing to the Duke's fjood nature if I'm not 
denounced Lo-morrow, for my treasonable correspondence with the king. 
He says there are diamonds missinfj from the liead of that cane. 

Mad. de Fox. Hush ! there is missing from that cane what is more 
l>recious to Fouche than all the diamonds of Golconda. There needs 
but one quarter of an hourli resolution to enable you to save yourself 
and to ruin him. 

Cev. Only a quarter of an hour's resolution? Madame, I am prepared 
or any danger— speak ! 
Mad. de Fon. the cane concealed a secret dispatch. 
Cev. a secret dispatch 1 

M,VD. DE Fox. Which I abstracted in the carriage while you slept. 
Ckv. Oh, Madame! How could you 1 

Mad. de Fon. Many lives depended on it. That paper involves Fouche 
in the guilt of high treason {she produces dispatch letter^ It is here. Take 
it instantly to the Grand Chaniberlain — yes, there is a ball at the Tuil- 
eries to-night — he will no doubt conduct you to the Emperor. State 

you came from me 

Cev. Butihis letter 1 

Mad. de Fon. Only stipulates for the safety of one who is very dear 
to me as the price of this inielligence. Quick ! Fouche may ba back 
any moment — and soon, no doubt, egress from my house may be as 
impossible tor yo\i as it is for me. Quick! do not hesitate — for my 
sake ! 

Cev. But the risk? 
Mad. de Fon. For your own sake. 

Cev. I will go at once ! \Tixit Be Cevennes, c. and l. 

Mad. de Fon. An<l now, Duke of Otranto, it is a race for life between 
you and me I 

Enter Jabot, c. 

Jabot. A gentleman to see Madame instantly. Here is his card. 
(giving it ) 

Mad. de Fox. Desmarefs! He here' I was just in time! And Henri 
— lie will bring me news of Henii ! Yes, admit hiui ! {Exit Jabot, c.) 
Should he have betrayed to him what 1 am- with what intention I fol- 
lowing him to Prague ' He is cruel enough! Oh, if 1 could read in his 
face r 

Enter Jabot, shows m Drsmauets, c, nnd exit Madame- de Fontanges 
stands eagerly and keenly looking at hini. 

Des. Delighted to see you once more, Madame but you have given 
me a hard journey, {he takes a light from the table, goes rapidly to R. d. m 
F , and exit by it.) 

Mad. de Fon. I cannot read through the mask. 

Re-enter Desmarets, b. d. m f. 

Des. So our deposit is safe ' Your departure from Prague was so 
abrupt I landed you were in a hurry to transmit certain papers to the 
Emperor. 

Mad. de Fox. You see I have i-espected your confidence. 

Des. Hm ! At h-ast, T see you have not had lime to make use of it. 

Mad. de Fon. M Desmarets, pardon my sudden flight. 1 had mo' 
lives. 



34 PLOT AND PASSION. 

Des, Oh, a lady is not bound to have any, you know, nor to tell tliein 
if she has ! 

Mad. pe Fon. But tell me— what did M. de Neuville think, say, of my 
disappearance 1 

Des. Oh 1 you don't expect me to repeat a lovers incoherencies — for 
I find he is a very warm lover. I conyraLulaLe you on the success of 
that part of your mission. But the best of it is, he is under the impres- 
sion, poor innocent, that you love him I 

Mad. de Fon. That I love him ! Ah, he is so inexperienced— and 
tliese Creoles are so passionate! And tiien I played my part t-o well l 
It was my part to appear to love him ! Love him ! {forcing a laugJ^) 
No ! Ha, ha, ha I I was not there to love him! But what matter what 
he thinks ? You know the truth ! 

L>ES. (r. c). I do. Shall 1 tell it you % 

Mad.de Fon. (l c ). Me, Desmarets ? 

Des. Yes, you, Marie de Fontanges ! you do love this man ! 

M.4D. DE Fon. Oh ! no, no, no —you must not believe him I 

Des. It is not from him I know it, but from you ! 

Mad. de Fon. Me I 1 tell 30U it is not so— 1 do not love him ! 

Des. Will you tell htm so ? 

Mad. de Fon. Oh, if that will satisfy you, I will write as much to hiin 
at once ! {nside) I need not send the letter. 

Des. Wiiy write when he is here 1 

Mad. de Fon. Here ! Here, in the very den of the wolf? 

Des. In your house, Madame ! 

Mad. de Fon. You have not told him what I am — with what intentions 
I came to Prague ? 

Des. Eh! {looks ut her maliciously.) 

Mad. de Fon. Oh! for mercy's sake — you have not told him of my 
shame 1 

Des. What matter if I have or not — you do not love him, you know ; 
but it is time undeceive him. I will send him to you that you may tell 
him you do not love him. [Exit DeSxMARets, c. and L. 

Mad. de Fon. One moment will decide all. 

Enter Henri db Neuville — oppears, c. 

Oh, Henri, Henri 1 my love! 

Neuv. Your love ! that name was not meant for me. I am Henri de 
Neuville, Madame ! 

Mad. de Fon. For you — for whom else but you 7 Do not look at 
me so ' Speak to me — the worst; if it must be — anything rattier then 
this silence 

Nedv. Better silence than the truth. 

Mad. de Fon. The truth ! 

Neuv. Your pardon ! I forgot myself The man whose hemt -n 
have made the plaything of your summer leisure, when he wakes to ilu> 
truth may suffer — t is a compliment to your lascination — but tliat he 
should complain — absurd ! I do not come to complain Mad.ime I 
{fitn-uly.) 

Mad. de Fon. {clasping her hands), Henri ! why are you here 1 

Neuv. (l c). To revenge ! 

Mad. de Fon. (r. c ). Has that man beti-ayed me 7 

Neuv. Oh ! you use the wrong word ; he has opened my eyes— 1 know 
fcll! 

Mad. de Fon. All ! 



ACT III. 35 

Neuv. The mode of your departure — it was admirably contrived : — 
your companion — he was weL chosen, for he was my friend ! 

Mad. de Fox. Ah ! De Cevennes! 

Neltv. I expected to find him here, (puts his hat down, l. h.) It is 
from him and not you I am come to ask an explanation. 

Mad. de Fon. {aside). Ah! it is but jea'ously, after all. Oh, Henri! 
be more just to me, it not to yourself, than to imagine that coxcomb 
could hold a place in my heart. 

Neuv. 1 did not imagine he held a place in your lieart, Madame, but 
in that Avhich does duty for your heart— your vanity. Besides, he had 
I)rior claims. How often has he not proclaimed himself your adcrer — 
Ic-ris— long before I had the misfortune to know you. 

Mad. de Fon. Henri De Neuville, look at me well. It was neces.«^aiy, 
to save you, that 1 should leave Prague .secieily and speedily. The Mar- 
quis De Cevennes's cairiage oflered me the only means. 1 took that 
means for you — and yon doubt me. 

Neuv. Marie ! Is this tlie truth ? 

Mad. de. Fon. Look into my eyes, as I swear to you, this is the 
truth. 

Neuv. There is conviction in your look, Marie — I do believe you ! 
Forgive me. 

Mad. de Fon No ! no ! It is I who must ask tor forgiveness. Oii ! 
if you knew all ! 

Neuv. I know only this, that we are once more together, and that 
we will never part more, {they embrace ; suddenly she starts away from his 
arms.) 

Mad. de Fon. Hush, Hemi ! in my joy, I forget all ! — to stay here is 
death. 

Neuv. Nay — nay. Fouche is the only enemy I have to fear, and here 
I am secure from him. 

Mad. dk Fon. Oh ' no, no — what place is safe from that man 1 

Neuv. Yes, this place is safe {holding her m hts arms aiid looking on 
her Jondly^ Falsehood never sat on that pure and open brow. Trettst)n 
never lurked in the depth of that clear eye. Poison never seethed in 
the honey of these lips. \,he kisses her 

Mad. de Fon. His kisses scald like molten kad. Oh ! Fly ! fly ! 
Henri I Every minute it may be too late ! 

Enter Desmarets, c. Jrom l. 

Des. {at the window). I begin to think it is too late already, (aosaes 
to K. c. behind.) 

Mad. de Fon. Ah ! {going to window) Gendaimes in the cuui t ! 

Neuv. Has treason followed me so close I i will not die wiihcul a 
Stru22le ! 

Mad. de Fon. {crosses in front to r. Aside to Desmarets). Slay ! 
{pointing, B..) There is a passage \\e\e—{she rushis to picture — tfies the 
spring) It will not work ! 

Des. Oil ! I forgot to explain to you the counter spring 

Mad. de Fon. Lost ! lost ' Oh ! no — {crosses to l. j at least staj' 
here; Henri. The Gendarmes may retire ; we do not know they come 
for you. 

Neuv. Doubtless they do. I am betrayed. 1 may yet discover the 
traitor. 

Des. (r.). You may. easily — sl'nli I reveal his naino 1 

Neuv. (c). You? Where is he 1 



36 PLOr AND PASSION. 

Mad. de Fon. (l.). No, no— for mercy's sake! 

Nepv. (c). Where is lie ? 

Des. (r., smUing coldly and pointing to Madame de Fontakges). 
There ! 

Neuv. {laughs scornfiiHi/). M. L*^l>(>n, our rapid journey has disordered 
your wits ! Tliis is Madame De Fonlanges ! a j)iire and stainless 
woman, and m/ love ! Her honor is mine ! 

Des. 1 am sorry for it. I tell you 

Mad. de Fon Oh, mercy ! mercy ! Do not \ 

Des. There stands the woman who, when you escaped Ijence, followt^d 
you to Prague to win your affections and lure you back to death ja 
Paris — your affections are hers — you are in Paris — she has obeyed her 
orders {she sinks on her keees, L. C, hiding her face) as becomes the siiy, 
tlie decoy of Fouche. 

Neuv. Liar ! 

Des. {shrugs his shoulders). Look there ! ( points to her.) 

Neuv. Marie, you hear him 1 Tell him as I have told him — he lies ! 
lies like a coward ! Ho\v'.<? this ? No word] You hide your eyes when 
they should strike him dumb ! Marie, speak to me, if not to him; say 
he lies ! Oh ! God ! he lies ! Marie, does he not lie ? 



Enter Fouche, c, in court dress, 

Fou. (l.X Let me answer that ! 

Neuv. The Abbe Lenoir — in this drers ! — but you know her, Abbe? 

Fou. First let me see you right about myself! I am Fouche, though, 
thanks to Madame's complaisance, I have been occasionally allowed to 
usurp :he character of her confessoi-, 

Des. She needs one no longer now ; I have confessed for her! 

Fou. Let her agony save her the pain of an avinval. Accei)l my assur- 
ance that what this gentleman has said is, oddly enouixh, the truth ! 
(De '^EVVi'L'LTL sinks into a chair, r. c, and hides his hvad on his folded 
arms, which rest on the table.) 

Des. {to. Madame de Fontanges, xcho h^s dragged herself up to a ehiir 
and sits on it, ghastly pale). I told you the serpent could sling! [crosses to 
L. c.) 

Fou. This shock is naturally overpowering at first, but you will get 
over it — particularly with the advantages for cool reflection which you 
v.'ill have in Vincennes, to which safe and reiiied residence 1 have 
particular pleasure in consigning the brilliant and sarcastic Tinion ! 
{goes tip stage) Lest you should make any attempt at escipe. I may in- 
f"Oim you that the house is guarded at every exit. And now, Desmarels, 
p\3rhaps we had better leave them together a little — they may need 
some mutual explanation, {lopking at Madame de Fontaxges) Poor 
creature ! she threatened me, Desmarets ? {going off c. and l ) 

Des. Ah, — and she spurned nu — but I bear no malice I {following 
ToucHE hy c). 

Mad. DE Fon. {struggles up and walks faltering to where De Neuvillr 
sits. She stands before htm with her head bent down). Henri ! M. de 
Neuville 1 

Neuv. Still here? — I hoped I w.is alono ! {he turns from her. throirs 
his head down on the tabid and sobs bi lerly. She approaches him and tries to 
take his hanei — he looks up fiercily) Do n'^t touch nie ! I wish T coidd 
hnve spaied you the sight of this humiiiation. It. is not for myself I nin 
so shaken, but that you — you whom I hud setso high in my heart slioud 
1)0 30 fallen ! A spy ! worse — a decoy ? 



ACT III. 87 

Mad. dk Fon. It is true , but let me not hear it from your lips. 
Spare me ! spare me ! I cannot bear it. 

N^EUV. {passionately). Why cross my path ] Wliat wrong have I done 
to you that you should wreck my ha{)piness thus ? Why do you stay '] 
Is it to look on the ruin you have made 1 Why aie you not with them 
for the wages of your work ? You have earned them well— too well. 

Mad. de Fon. No, no, no ! do not look at me so— speak so I I was 
not vile enough to finish what I had the vileness to begin. I loved you, 
Henri, at last — truly, fondly loved you — with the love before which lifc^ 
and death are indifferent. Only one thing I could not bear— your scorn! 
It was the dread of this that kept me from avowing the shameful truth 
that sometimes made your softest words daggers. If you knew the weight 
of self-scorn I bore under my happiness in your love, my nights of bitter 
tears, my days of hidden shame— fallen as I am, you would pity me, 
Henri— indeed you would ! {still kneeling.) 

Neuv. How am I to know this tone does not mask some new 
treachery 1 ■ 

Mad. de Fon. No! my shame is revealed now — and that — that was 
all I ever concealed from you ! 

Neuv. And your flight was not to draw me to my destruction ? 

Mad. de Fon. No! a^ ! live, no! It was to try one last appeal to 
Fonclie for release from my infamy. 

Neuv. But what coukl she have been who could first lend herself to 
such ignominy ? 

Mad.de Fon. A gambler, Henri ! enticed to the ta^le by Fouche's 
arts — beggared there by his agents— and then, when ruin and dishonor 
bp<5f^t me, the (emptor was ever at my elbow with gold. I listened, I tell, 
I became his &\)y ; once fallen to that, the mai^ who tempted me ordered 
me to tempt you — and I did teni))t you — wretched woman as I am — 
you. for whom if I had a thousand lives I would give them a'l ! 

Neuv. Poor, poor Marie ! My suffering dates but a few hours back, 
and yours has been the misery of years ! 

Mad. de Fon. {j-ises and advances, c). But is the agony I feel now no 
atonement for my past, Henri 1 I feel as if it might be, my suffering has 
been so bitter — so bitter ! You will let me take your hand, Henri ? 
{she takes it, he does not resist) There are tears in your eyes---you look 
upon me as you did in tliose happy daj^s when you thought me worthy 
of your love 1 I feel that T have destroyed you. Henri — forgive me, I 
did not mean to use that word ! May I still call you so 1 

Neuv. {in a broken voice). Yes, yes I 

Mad. de Fon. Ah ! I am forgiven ! Speak ! 

Neuv. Yes ! yes, my poor Marie ! T forgive the past— suc^i suffering; 
and such repentance redeem all! {she faUs into his arms; he presses her 
to his heart) And so we will meet fate together! They did not look to 
find us thus— thy wet cheek on my loving heart! I can face imprison- 
ment, death, now, if it must be, without a quiver ! {they embrace and 
remain in each other^s arms.) 

Enter FoucfiE and Desmaeets with Soldiers, c. 

Fou. {speaking at the entrance). We will try that ! Madame. I regret to 
disturb your tete-a-tete, but the carriage waits to conduct this gentle- 
man to Vincennes. 

Mad. de Fon. Kill me! kill me ! How can I live with his blood upoti 
my head ? Henri ! Henri ! {the Soldiers advance) Where he goes I go- 
To prison with him— to death with him! , 



38 PLOT AND PASSION. 

Neuv. (l. c). One moment, gentlemen. Joseph Fonche so sure as 
there is an eternal justice above us, so surely shall this wickedness be 
atoned for ! Aye, smile, and tremble while you smile — for you feel that 
trnlh speaks out of him, who on his way to the grave, pauses here to give 
you your true titles of knave and coward I 

Fou. (c ) Do your duty ! 

Berthier {speaking without). Stay without, gentlemen, the carriage 
for Vincennes may wait. 

Bnter De Cevennes, accompanied hy Berthier m court dress, c 

Mad. de Fon. Ha ! Berthier ! Prince, my prayer 7 

Ber. (r. c). Is granted. 

Mad. de Fon. He is free ! Henri, you are free ! free ! Do you hear 1 
I said so; 1 knew lliey could not part us now i You are safe — something 
liere at my heart told me so — you are safe ! God ble&s the mouth that 
tells me so ! 

Ber. M. le Due, my errand is to you, {beckons De Cevexnes ond takes 
paper) A glance at this paper may spare painful avowals. Uiovds dispatch) 
You will wait the further directions of the Emperor on your esiaie of 
Pont Carre. 

Fou. {looks at dispatch, then to Madame). Admirably done, Madame ; 
"worihy of myself, upon my honor ! 

Ber. Your Grace will not wonder, after this discovery, that 1 am 
charged to demanded your portfolio; you will give up your cabinet and 
papers to the Duke of Rovigo! 

Fou. (r. c). Savery — i)oor Savery ! (takes snuff) Savery — after me! 

Ber. (c). Among the papers to be given up the Emperor includes 
all his autograph letters, and instructions. 

Fou. {to Berthier). I regret extremely not to be "ble to oblige the 
Emperor ; but, fearing so delicate a correspondence might tall into bad 
hands, I have burn it. [Exit Desmakets by secret pnssoge. 

Ber. Burnt it ! — you will find it difficult lo convince the Emperor of 
that. 

Fou. I have always found him difficult to convince But it is never- 
theless true. His autographs are burnt. (Desmarets returning with lax, 
crosses behind Fouche, to c.) 

Des. Not all, I think, M. le Due — not quite all. 

Fou. You, too, Desmarets! then I am down ! 

Des. Your Highness will find His Majesty's revered autographs in this 
box, besides much interesting correspondence with Marshal Bernadotte 
and the King of Naples, {aside) I should not like Joseph to fall without 
my having a hand in it. (crosses to r. ) 

Fou. Prince, I am a victim to calumny. I resign my portfolio and 
myself, until His Majesty again requires my services. Desmaiets — no — 
I leave you to my successor ad interim. I Lave only lo hope he will find 
you as trustworthy as 1 have done. 

Des. (r). Adieu ! 

Fou. (r. c. looking at him fixedly). No, au revoir ! Madame, permit 
me to compliment you on the skill of your play ! M. de Neuville, you 
have acquired a jewel. Treasure it, I ut don't forget you took it out of 
the mire. 

Neuv. (l. c). I will remember it, Duke of Otranto. Think you how 
precious must be that jewel, which, for a moment soiled by contact with 
your hands, is yet worthy of being set here — in the heart of an honest 
man ! (he takes her to las arms — she falls on his neck.) 



ACT 111. 



39 



Mad. de Fon. {goes to c). If from the whirl of passion, plot, and play, 
My storm-tossed bark seeks wedded life's calna bay, 
"What tamed the gamblers passion in my heart % 
What 'gainst the i)lotter turned his own deep artl 
What made weak hands stron<j for a giant's falll 
The master passion. Love — " that siill is lord of all." 

Soldiers. 
De Cevexne?. 

FOUCHE. 

Desmarats. De Fontanges. De Neuville. 

K. R. C. C. L. C. L. 

CTIRTAIN. 



FROPERTIES. 



ACTS I. and III. — Writing materials on table, l., front ; water decantei and glasses 
on sideboard up l. ; antique clock and candelabra on table and mantel ; prayer- 
book ; bell; candles, burning; dispatch-box, containing books and papers ; half- 
mask for Mdk. de Fontanges ; bon-bon case ; pack of cards ; candles, unlit, as 
before; two lanterns, to bum; cane, as in Act II.; letter-paper, sealed, for 
Berthieh. 

ACT II. -Books ; flowers ; embroidery frame ; letters for KARr-; flower-pots ; note 
for Mde. de Fontangks ; cane with largo silver ball head, which screws off and 
shows socket coiitidning folded papei". 



EXPLANATION OF THE STAGE DIRECTIONS. 
The Actor is supposed to face the Audience. 



\ 












P. E. 


C. C. D. 


D. L. C. 




B.U. E. 




SCENE, 




L. U. E. 


..J 








\.,.. 


.../ 








^ L.2E. 


../ 








\... 


/ 








\ 


B. 1 


K.O. 


atdi'ence. 


z.. 


0. I- 



L. Left. 

L. c. Left Centre. 

L. 1 E. Left First Entrance. 

L. 2 E. Left Second Entrance. 

L. 3 E. Left Third Entrance. 

L. u. K. Left Upper Entrance 

(wherever this Scene may be.) 

n. L. c. Door Left Centre. 



c. Centre. 

B. Eight. 

■R. 1 E. Eight First Entrance. 

14. 2 E. Eight Second Entrance. 

n. 3 E. Eight Third Entrance. 

R. TT. E. Eight Upper Entrance. 

D. E. c- Door Eight Centre. 



MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 



AND 



INSTRUCTION BOOKS 

Stage Preparations and Accesso- 
ries, etc., etc. 



We are prepared to f umisli any of the following and similar articles, promptly 
and at the very lowest prices : 

Wigs, Mustaches, and Imperials 

of every style, shape and color, for Caucasian, Mongolian or Ethiopian " make up. 

Face Preparations, 

such as Prepared Cork for Negro Minstrels, Mongolian Paste for Mulattoes, Indi- 
ans, etc. ; Prepared Whiting for clowns, Statues, etc.; Pencils to trace eyebrows 
and veins ; India Ink, and a bright but harmless Lip Rouge. 

Tableau Lights, Colored Fires, 

and all the various articles needed to throw the effects of sunlight, moonlight, 
and firelight upon faces, groups or scenery. These are all prepared in such a man- 
ner as to be entirely harmless. 

Musical Instruments 

of every variety, from the plainest to the most highly ornamented, such as Violins, 
Violoncellos, Piccolos, Flageolets, Fifes, Tamborincs, Bones, Jews' Harps, and 
Mouth Harmonicons. . , 

Dancing Clogs, Stockings and Caps, 

of all shapes, sizes, colors and materials manufactured, and ranging from the very 
lowest prices upwards. 

Musical Instruction Books. 

Manuals for the Guitar, the Banjo, the Violins, the Accordeon, the Viploncello, 
thfe Clarionet, Cornopeon, Fife and Drum. 



^*^ For full particulars, list of prices, and descriptions in full of the various 
articles above enumerated, send for De Witt's Masaiinoth CatalogTie, which 
wiU be forwarded free and postage paid to any address in the United States or 
t!anada. Address, 

CLINTON T. DE WITT, 

S3 Rose Street, New York. 



DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS (Continued). 



No. 
144. 

34. 
137. 
111. 
119. 
165. 

48. 

32. 
164. 
109. 

85. 

87. 
143. 
189. 
163. 
154. 



7. 

49. 

15. 

46. 

51. 
184. 
108. 
188. 
169. 
130. 

92. 
193. 

140. 

115. 
2. 

57. 
104. 
112. 
18.3. 

84. 
117. 

171. 
14. 

173. 
176. 

90. 
170. 

33. 
3. 

97. 

66. 

172. 

94. 

45. 
155. 

178. 

147. 
156. 



M. F. 

Lancashire Lass, melodrama, 5 acts. 12 3 
Larkins' Love Letters, fare*, 1 act.. 3 2 

L'Artiile 47, drama, 3 acts 11 5 

Liar (The), comedy, 2 acts 7 2 

Life Chase, drama, 5 acts .14 5 

Living Statue (The), farce, 1 act, ... 3 2 
Little Annie's Birthday, farce, 1 act. 2 4 

Little Rebel, farce, 1 act 4 3 

Little Ituby, drama, 3 acts 6 6 

Locked In, comedietta, 1 act 2 2 

Locked luwithaLaiy, sketch, 1 act. 1 1 

Locked Out, comic scene 1 2 

Lodgers an I Dodgers, farce, 1 act.. 4 2 
Leap Year, musical duality, 1 act... 1 1 

Marcorelti, drama, 3 acts 10 3 

Maria and JMagda:ena, ) lay, 4 acts . 8 6 
Marriage at Any Price, farce, 1 act. 5 3 
Master Jones' Birthday, farce, 1 act. 4 2 

Maud's Peiil, drama, 4 acts 5 3 

Midnight VVatcli, drama, 1 act 8 2 

Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 2 

Miriam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 5 2 

Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act 3 2 

Money, comedy, 5 acts 17 3 

Mr. Scroggins,'farce, 1 act 3 

M r. X., farce, 1 act 3 

My Uncle's Suit, farce, 1 act 4 

My Wife's Diar/, farce, 1 act 3 

My Wife's Out, farce, 1 act 2 

My Walking Photograph, musical 

duality, 1 act ... 1 

Never Keckon Your Ch.ckens, etc., 

farce, 1 act 3 

New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 

Nobody's ( hild, drama, 3 acts 8 

Noemie, drama, 2 acts 4 

No Name, drama, 5 acts 7 

Not a Bit Jealous, farce, 1 act 3 

Not So Bad as We Seem, play, 5 acts. 14 

Not Guilty, drama, 4 acts 10 

Not Such a Fool as He Looks, drama, 

3 acts 5 

No hing Like Paste, farce, 1 act 3 

No Thoroughfare, drama, 5 acts and 

prologue 13 

Olf the Stage, comedietta, 1 act 3 

On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act... 1 

Only a lialfpenny, farce, 1 act 2 

Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 

One too Many for Him, farce, 1 act. 2 

£100,000, comedy, 3 acts 8 

Orange Bio soms, comedietta, 1 act. 3 3 
Orange Girl, drama, in prologue 

and 3 acts 18 4 

Ours, comedy, 3 acts 6 3 

Our ( lerks, farce, 1 act 7 

Our Domestics, comedy farce, 2 acts 6 
Our Heroes, military play. 5 acts. . .24 
Out at Sea, drama in prologue and 

4 acts 16 

Overland Route, comedy, 3 acts 11 

Peace at Any Price, farce, 1 act 1 _ 

Peep o' Day, drama, 4 acts 12 4 

Peggy Green, far e, 1 act 3 10 

Petticoat Parliament, extravaganza, 

in one act 15 24 

Photographic Fix, farce, 1 act 3 2 

A COMPLETE 



No. 



M. P. 



61. Plot and Passion, drama. 3 acts 7 2 

138. Poll and Partner Joe, burlesque, 1 

act 10 3 

110. Poppleton's Predicaments, farce, 13 6 

50. Porter's Knot, drama, 2 acts 8 2 

59. Pot't Boy, drama, 2 acts 5 

95. Pretty Horse- Breaker, farce, 1 act.. 3 
181 and 182. Queen Mary, dram.i, 4 acts.38 

157. Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act. . . 5 
196. Queerest Courtship (The), comic op- 
eretta, 1 act 1 

132. Race for a Dinner, farce, 1 act 10 

183. Richelieu, play, 5 acts 16 

38. Rightfiu Heir, drama, 5 acts 10 

77. Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts 8 

13. Ruy Bias, drama. 4 acts 12 

194. Rum, drama, 3 acts 7. 

195. Rosemi Shell, travesty, 1 act, 4 

scenes 

158. School, comedy, 4 acts 6 

79. Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, drama, 1 7 

37. Silent Protector, farce, 1 act 3 

35. Silent W^oman, farce, 1 act 2 

43. Sisterly Service, comedietta. 1 act. . 7 

6. Six Months Ago, comedietta, 1 act. 2 
10. Snapping Turtles, duologue, 1 act.. 1 

26. Society, comedy, 3 acts 16 

78. Special Performances, farce, 1 act.. 7 
31. Taming a Tiger, farce. 1 act 3 

150. Tell-Taie He irt, comedietta, 1 act 1 
120. Tempest in a Teapot, comedy, 1 act. 2 
146. There's no Smoke Without Fire, 

comedietta, 1 act 

83. Thrice Married, personation piece, 

lact... 

42. Time and the Hour, drama, 3 acts. . 

27. Time and Tide, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 7 5 

133. Timothy to the Rescue, farce, 1 act. 4 2 
153. 'Tis Better to Live than to Die, 

farce, 1 act 

134. Tompkins the Troubadour, farce, 1 3 
29. Turning the Tables, farce, 1 act. . . . 5 

168. Tweedie's Rights, comedy, 2 acts.. 4 

126. Twice Killed, farce, 1 act 6 

56. Two Gay Deceivers, farce, 1 act 3 

123. Two Polts, fa-ce, 1 act 4 

198. Twin Sisters (The), comic operetta, 

1 act 3 

162. Uncle's Will, comedietta, 1 act 2 

106. Up for tlie Cattle Sliow, farce, 1 act. 6 
81. Vandyke Brown, farce, 1 act 3 

124. "Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act 6 

91. Walpole, comedy, 3 acts 

118. W'^ anted, a Young Lady, farce, 1 act. 3 
44. War to the Knife, comedy, 3 acts. . . 5 4 
105. WbichoftheTwo?comed etta, lact 2 10 

98. Who is Who? farce, 1 act 3 2 

12. Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts 4 4 

5. William Tell with a Vengeance, 

burlesque 8 2 

136. Woman in Red, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 6 

161. Woman's Vows and Mason's Oaths, 

4 acts 10 4 

11. Woodcock's Little Game, farce, 2 4 4 
54. Young Collegian (Cantab.), farce, 1 3 3 

DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



10 



6 3 
6 6 
5 
3 
1 
2 
1 
1 
5 
3 



1 2 

6 1 

7 3 



2 1 



1 

1 
2 
3 
6 

7 2 



of DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS AND DE W^ITT'S 



ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS , containing Plot, Costume, Scenery, 
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